Abraham had a close relationship with God. He had built altars to worship God. He had spoken directly to God. He listened to God’s lessons. But Abraham was not perfect.
Abraham had lied to kings. Abraham’s fear was that he would be killed because his wife Sarah was beautiful. Abraham understood the lust in people’s heart. God understood the fear in Abraham’s heart and as Abraham grew old God knew he had faith to give birth to a Son, he called Isaac.
God’s covenant with Abraham was much more than a nation, but a promise to all nations that there would be another Son born to save the peoples of the world.
God tempted Abraham with a lesson, not just a lesson for Abraham but a lesson for us all. God wanted a sacrifice. He had Abraham take his only son Isaac into the mountains. Isaac had to carry the wood for the altar up the mountain. Abraham, in his heart believed that God’s plan was to sacrifice Isaac on the altar.
Isaac knew how sacrifices were done. Isaac asked his father where was the lamb? Abraham answered, “God will provide a lamb.”
Abraham laid Isaac on the altar and raised his knife. The angel of the LORD stayed Abraham’s hand. Abraham saw behind him a ram caught in the bushes. A sacrifice had been provided.
God knew what was going to happen, Abraham didn’t. Abraham now realized that to follow God’s commands his family would grow in numbers and might. God was also speaking to us.
Just as God would provide his only son as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. Abraham leads to Jesus.
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