TUESDAY, June 30, 2009                                                       READ: Genesis 22: 1 - 19                                                                                                        

GOD COMMANDEDABRAHAM TO GIVE UP HIS SON

MEMORIZE: "Now it came to pass after these things that, God tested Abraham….”         Genesis 22:1

The first and greatest of all the commands, which God has given to us, is to love Him with all of our hearts, with all of our minds and with all of our strength. There should be no love, no devotion as intense or important as our love and commitment to God. Unfortunately, when God gives us His good gifts, we end up becoming more devoted to the gifts than to God, the Giver, Himself.

For over twenty-five years, God had been promising to give Abra-ham a son, to be his heir. Finally, God gave the son, Isaac, to Abraham and his wife, Sarah. They were, undoubtedly, very pleased and loved Isaac. Abraham had another son, Ishmael, whom he also loved. There were problems in the home. As a way of solving that problem, God commanded Abraham to send Ishmael and his mother away from the encampment. God wanted him to focus his attention and devotion on Isaac. According to our text, Genesis 22: 1 – 19, at some point “… after these things…” God tested Abraham, commanding him to “… go to the land of Moriah, and offer… your only son Isaac, whom you love… as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” One of God’s attributes is omniscience. God knows everything there is to know, and He does not need to discover anything. What was the nature and intent of the test, which God gave to Abraham, in commanding him to offer up Isaac as a burnt offering? Observe how the term or phrase “your only son” is used three times in vv. 2, 12, and 16! Isaac was identified as the son of Abraham with whom God was going to establish the covenant He made with Abraham (cf. Genesis 18-21). Why was God telling Abraham to offer up Isaac as a burnt offering? In v. 3, we are able to see how Abraham did not hesitate, but rose early in the morning and set out for the place to which God had directed him to go. In v. 4, we are told that on the third day, Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place afar off. Did you recognize the reference to “third day” in this verse? Do you think that reference might have any real significance? In v. 5, we see how Abraham left his entourage and promised that they, both he and his son, would come back to them. What did he know about what they were going to do (cf. Hebrews 11: 17-19)? In vv. 6, 7, Isaac was moved to inquire about the exercise because he did not observe the presence of a lamb for the sacrifice. Observe the answer, which Abraham gave to Isaac’s inquiry, in v. 8! What did he have in mind (cf. Isaiah 53: 6, 7; John 1: 29; 1 Peter 1: 19, 20; Revelation 13: 8b)? In vv. 9, 10, we see that Abraham was definitely intent on obeying God’s command. In v. 11, we see how God, the Angel of the LORD, intervened. In v. 12, Abraham is commended for his obedience. “You have proven that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.” In v. 13, we see how God provided the ram, which He intended for Abraham to use as the substitute. This was intended to serve as a type of Jesus of Nazareth, God, the Son, dying as a substitute for Adam and his descendants (cf. 1 Peter 3: 18). In v. 14, we see Abraham’s response to God’s faithful provision. In vv. 15 – 19, the Angel of the LORD spoke to Abraham and confirmed the blessings to him and his descendants (vv. 17, 18; Galatians 3: 16). Mt. Moriah is usually considered to be Jerusalem (cf. 2 Samuel 24: 16-25; 2 Chronicles 3: 1). What was God foreshadowing by having Abraham prepare to offer his son on Mt. Moriah (cf. John 3: 16)?

PRAY:LORD, God Almighty, thank You for this object- lesson of You great love for us. You used Abraham to illustrate how You, our Father, gave up Your Son for us, even before You laid the foundation of the earth, and would make Him manifest in due time. Thank You, in Jesus’ strong name. Amen.