Hello My Friend/Guest,
It is Tuesday January 8, 2008 and today we are continuing our studies on the book of Genesis, please read, Genesis 22-24. Today we will learn about Abraham's faith to offer Isaac as a sacrifice, God's Covenant renewed; Sarah's death; and Rebekah's marriage to Isaac. Today's lesson will focus on true faith and trust in God.
Abraham was called of God and is known for his great faith as well as his remarkable faithfulness to God. However, he experienced one severe trial after another. It was a test of faith when he left his father's house and security of his home country to seek the land of promise. It was a test of faith when he arrived and there was a famine in the land and he felt it was necessary to go to Egypt to survive. It was a test of faith when Lot chose all the well-watered plains and left Abraham nothing but barren hills for grazing his herds. It was a test of faith when, as an old man, Abraham could not understand why God had not answered his prayer for a son to be his heir. What a life of struggles he had to endure.
Isaac was a young man when Abraham's faith was given a final test. After 25 years of waiting for the promised son, God said to Abraham take your only son, Isaac and offer him as a burnt offering. "And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of." (Genesis 22:1-2). A burnt offering sacrifice was always to be a male animal, the best the offerer had, and it was wholly consumed by fire as an expression of uncompromising dedication to God
Abraham obeyed that call with unwavering trust in God based on the covenant established between them. "And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him. Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off." (22:3-4). God did not intend to sanction human sacrifices but only to test Abraham's willingness to surrender to His will and His Word.
Abraham gathered the things he needed and took his son and they climbed up on Mount Moriah and it was there where he built an altar. "And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together. And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me." (22:6-12).
We read this incident knowing the outcome and could easily overlook the deep distress which must have filled the heart of this godly man. Every time Abraham looked upon Isaac he was reminded that Isaac was a special gift in answer to prayer. We cannot conceive of a greater test than this heartbreaking command that God chose to test Abraham's faith.
It is through trials and suffering that the Lord develops our faith and strength to endure all things that we are faced with. Our walk as a true believer is a faith walk trusting God to lead us through unknown circumstances.
In today's lesson Jesus Christ is revealed through Isaac's submission to his father to be offered as a living sacrifice. Jesus willingly offered His life as a sacrifice for our sins.
Today's Psalm: (4:5)
"Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD."
Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Lord Jesus, when we consider how many struggles, hardships and temptations we face in our lifetime the weight of these difficulties could overwhelm us. Thank You, for sacrificing your life to free me from all the sins I endure from all of these things. I will put my faith and trust in You, Lord. When I'm in need of comfort, You are my Comforter. When I'm in need of courage You go before me. When I'm in need of friendship You are my friend that sticks closer than a brother. When I'm in need of stability You are the Anchor for my soul. When I'm in need of finances You provide me with what I need. When I'm in need of peace You give me your grace. When I'm in need of food You are the Bread of Life. When I'm thirsty You are the living water that leads to eternal life. You are my Shepherd and I shall never be in want of anything. Thank You for meeting every need I have. In Your mighty name, Jesus, I pray.....Amen.
Have a great and wonderful day/night. I pray that your day is well and that you are blessed beyond measure.
God Bless,
Christina
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