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May 8, 2024
- By Ed Powell
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Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about." Genesis 22:2
There are many wonderful instances of faith and obedience recorded in the Scriptures, but none whatever (except those of our Lord) has at anytime surpassed or equaled this blessed account of Abraham. He had often enjoyed intimate communion with God, who had given him specific instructions regarding his son Isaac. "Take your son, your only son, the son whom you love, and offer him for a burnt offering."
I cannot imagine the response Abraham might have had, for Isaac was the child of promise, miraculously conceived by Sarah in her old age. All the promises of God were to be accomplished solely in and through his son Isaac, the son appointed by God. Notice the compassion of God. He lets Abraham know how special this son was to him. He says, "Take your son, your only son, the son whom you love"--three endearing phrases that expressed the intimate relationship of Abraham and Isaac. There was no hesitation or question as to his obedience. Instantly, he arose to execute the will of God.
He arrived at the spot chosen by God. He laid wood on the altar he built. Then, with inexpressible tenderness, he related to Isaac the command of God. This must have been a heart-wrenching moment in both of their lives. I'm sure Abraham must have encouraged his son to trust in the faithful and unchangeable God who, if he were reduced to ashes, would restore him.
Now notice carefully something very precious. As Abraham's faith was unwavering in God's promise to him, the son dutifully and with unparalleled obedience willingly surrenders to be the sacrifice. Which shall we admire more? The resolution of the father or the submission of the son! Abraham's obedience to God's sovereignty or Isaac's surrender to God's directive and his father's instructions?
The obedience of both brought God's approval through the angel, who said, "Now I know that you fear God, seeing thou hast not withheld your son, your only son from me." Abraham was willing to surrender his most treasured relationship, the very means through which God was to bless the nations of the world, in obedience to God's command. Isaac was willing to surrender his life in submissive compliance.
This is a most touching account that reflects implicit obedience and confident faith. But it applies to us today. Has God asked you to sacrifice something that is dear to you? You may have followed through as Abraham did, and laid your sacrifice upon the altar and received God's blessing for your obedience. On the other hand, there are things in our lives that stand in the way of our full obedience. We are living on the circumference of God's plan and purpose for us, we are observing the workings of His blessed hand from afar, and we are not acquainted with this intimate relationship with the Lord. God wants us to dwell in the center, where we can be part of the inner actions of His leading and can experience the intimate fellowship of His presence and the miraculous manifestation of His power! How blessed it would be to hear from His lips, "Now I know that you fear me, because your life reveals unwavering obedience and confident trust!"
© 2007 by Ed Powell. Used by permission.
This page was reprinted by permission from: http://litmin.org/dare.php?date=2024-05-08&print=1
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