Because you did not withhold your son, I will not withhold Mine

Genesis 22, Abraham Tested


In this memorable passage, God tells Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. Abraham, in prompt obedience to God, sets off to do so. At the last minute, God provides a ram, and confirms His promise to Abraham.

Emotionally, I imagine, Abraham was going through a lot. Isaac certainly was when he saw his own father raise a knife to slay him. What is interesting, however, that all along, Abraham seemed to have expected that God would intervene, in some way, possible raising Issac from the dead after the sacrifice. This is seen in the following verses:

Genesis 22:4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5 He said to his servants, "Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you."
Genesis22:7 Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, "Father?"
"Yes, my son?" Abraham replied.

"The fire and wood are here," Isaac said, "but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?"
Abraham answered, "God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." And the two of them went on together.

Abraham is remembered for his faith. I believe that it was his strong faith in God's promises (to make him a great nation through Isaac) that kept him going. In our lives, when it seems we are facing a difficult or impossible situation, we can lean on God's promises and have faith that He is in control.

Personally, I have done this at times of financial hardship. Some of the financial holes we have found ourselves in have been steep, but I always held on to the promise that God would never see the righteous begging bread. And you know what? He has never let me down.

Another significant set of verses is Genesis 22:15-18.

Genesis 22:15 The angel of the LORD called to Abraham from heaven a second time 16 and said, "I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, 18 and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me."

Not only does this foreshadow the sacrifice God will make in the future, when He sends His Only Son, it points to the importance of Abraham's obedience. Since, Abraham did not withhold his son, God would not withhold His Son Jesus from dying for us. In other words, Abraham demonstrated his love for God by his obedience in sacrificing his son; God demonstrates His love for the world by sacrificing His Son.

--Saucy Sister