Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” – Genesis 22:1-2
I have two children. I love them dearly. When I consider the test Abraham underwent, it affects me down to the core. What if God were to ask me to sacrifice my daughter or son? How would I respond?
When I consider the answer to these questions I find that my answer has to come not just from me, but from God. In other words, maybe the questions really should be,
I mentioned that when Isaac was born Sarah and Abraham were already past childbearing age. Simply having Isaac was a miracle. God worked what was impossible for Abraham and Sarah to give them Isaac. God would also be able to do another miracle.
God could give Abraham and Sarah another child, prevent the knife/flames from killing Isaac, or even raise Isaac from the dead. The stories of Daniel and the lion’s den, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace, and Lazerus come to mind. God could also bring Isaac through death to be with Him.
God is a God of miracles.
What kind of God is God?
So, God is capable of bringing a good ending to this test, but will He? God had already kept His promises in many ways with Abraham. He had given Him a son. He had brought him to the land He promised. He had protected Abraham and given him mighty military victories.
God kept His promises. He also showed great love and mercy to Abraham, forgiving Abraham even when he doubted God.
Hope in the Lord
So, when we consider who God is and what kind of God He is, this test becomes very different, even if it is still difficult. Abraham could approach this test knowing that God was capable of doing a miracle, would keep His promise to provide descendants, and would be loving and gracious in how He chose to act.
This is the hope Abraham had as climbed that mountain and told Isaac,
“God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.”
In the end, God did stop the sacrifice and provided a ram to be sacrificed in Isaac’s place.
We can trust God
We will, at times, be asked to sacrifice. It may not be a child, but it may be difficult none-the-less. When we consider what God is capable of and what kind of God He is, our response to that sacrifice can change. We can understand that even if we don’t see how good can come out of it or how God can bring us through, that He is a God of miracles who keeps His promises and shows us great love and mercy.
He demonstrated this most of all in another sacrifice. Because of our sin we all deserve eternal death, but like with Isaac, God provided a lamb to be sacrificed in our place. Jesus, the Lamb of God, took our place as God sacrificed His own, beloved Son to save us.
Heavenly Father,
You have sacrificed greatly for us by Your Son, Jesus. Help us to trust Your goodness and Your mighty power, even when we find it difficult.
Amen.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
Copyright 2022, Faith Lutheran Church, Wesley Chapel. All Rights Reserved.