Trust and Obey

“Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering.”    Genesis 22:2

“Abraham, take your son….”  Fear crept in after only four words, but God continued, “Your only son, Isaac, whom you love.”  The reminders of affection only increased his anxiety.  “Go to the region of Moriah.  Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about”(Gen. 22:2).  The dread of every parent—the death of a child, and Abraham must do the deed himself.

We’re not told how Abraham felt or what he said, but we know what he did.  “Early the next morning Abraham got up and…set out for the place God told him about”(Gen. 22:3).  Abraham obeyed and Abraham believed.  On the third day of the journey, he left his servants at base camp and instructed them to stay put.  “We will worship and then we will come back to you”(Gen. 22:5).  Two would go up and two would come down.  Abraham knew God’s promise and trusted Him to do the impossible to keep it. 

Isaac noticed the wood, the fire, and the knife, but seeing no sacrifice, he asked dear old dad, “Where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”   Abraham answered, “‘God himself will provide the lamb.’ And the two of them went on together”(Gen. 22:7-8).

Surely God would have them stop before they reached the top, but the summit appeared and the sacrifice approached.  In the ultimate act of abandon, the father bound his son and raised the blade.  And then God halted from heaven. Isaac’s life was spared.  Abraham’s loyalty was commended, and a ram in a jam ended up as the offering.

Abraham’s situation was unique to him, but the application is for all.  We’ll not be told to kill our kids, but we must be willing to surrender what we cherish.

Trust and Obey.

Hold nothing back.

God will provide.