Father’s Day: His Own Son

Recently, I read Genesis 22.  It is the story how Abraham went to sacrifice his son for God.  God wanted to test Abraham’s faith.  Abraham and Sarah waited many years to have a child.  In fact they were in their late 90’s when Isaac was finally born. ( People lived a lot longer back then.)  Isaac was God’s promise to Abraham several years earlier.  God promised Abraham He would make Abraham line would be a great nation.    

The story goes like this: God spoke to Abraham (I love how God speaks directly to Abraham.) Abraham go to the mountain which I will show you and sacrifice Isaac there.  So Abraham took his son and two servants and set out.  When they got close to the mountain Abraham told his two servants to wait there and he took Isaac and wood and fire up to the mountain.  On the way up Isaac asked where was the lamb to be sacrificed since they only had wood and fire with them.  He must have been used to the custom of sacrificing animals as an act of worship.  God had instructed Adam and Eve to offer sacrifices as an atonement for sin.  This was a foreshadow of the ultimate sacrifice.  Abraham replied to his son God will provide the lamb.

So, I am wondering what was going through Abraham’s mind this whole time?  Did he expect God to supply a lamb or did he really expect to sacrifice his son whom he waited so long for and loved so dearly.  Would I be willing to go as far as Abraham that day?  I would like to think so but in reality I doubt I have that much faith.  Back to the story…

Abraham and Isaac find a rock to sacrifice on and place the wood on it.  Then Abraham places his son on the wood.  I am wondering now what Isaac was thinking!  Was he being obedient and just laying there or was he pleading with his Dad not to hurt him?  Abraham raises the knife and God stops him!  Wow!  To have that much faith in God that you are willing to go that far.  Abraham looks and there in a bush was a lamb caught by the horns.  God provided a lamb!

I have heard this story all of my life but one day recently when I was reading it suddenly it hit me!  God was not willing for Abraham to kill his son but God was willing to sacrifice His own Son!  Wow!  I can just imagine God in Heaven sitting there watching this whole story pan out.  God is so sad Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son.  God stops it from happening because He loved both Abraham and Isaac so much.  How God could be willing to allow His Son to be sacrificed when He would not let Abraham do it?  He much love us so much!

John 3:16 says God loved the world, which means everyone who ever lived, so much that He gave His only Son (to be sacrificed for our sin) and anyone who believes in God’s Son, Jesus, will live forever with Him!  Do you believe?