Genesis 22

God, in His sovereignty, provided a ram for the sacrifice, and Abraham didn’t have to go through with it. What was Abraham thinking? His doubt about Isaac’s birth was completely turned around because God kept His promise. He even tells Isaac on the way that God will provide a lamb for the sacrifice (22:8). The New Testament gives us some additional insight into Abraham’s faith at this point: “concluding that God is able to raise up even from the dead. Figuratively speaking, he also did receive him back from the dead.” (Hebrews 11:19, WEB).

If we consider this a test, then it’s a test to show Abraham the kind of faith that he’s capable of. It’s also a lesson for all of us. Here Jesus is like the ram who is sacrificed in Isaac’s place. However, there is an additional truth here. The true God is not like the other false gods being worshiped in the land. Human sacrifice is not what is required and will never be required. What God did not allow Abraham to do He does for us. Do you really think that it’s a coincidence that the second person of the divine Godhead is called the Son? God the Father allowed His Son to die, so that we could be saved!

John 3:16 (WEB) “For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”

Thought for the day: God’s love!

Romans 8:37-39 (WEB) “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from God’s love which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”