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The Genesis Twenty – two Faith Challenge – Week 24 / June 8th
“And without faith it is impossible to believe God, because
anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists
and rewards those who earnestly seek Him”
Hebrews 11:6
This passage is called the “Binding of Isaac” by the Jewish theological world. The text then records the call of God over Abraham, some four thousand years ago, to sacrifice his son Isaac on Mt. Moriah, which eventually became the site of the Temple. The significance of this event is the following:
1. It was a test of Abraham’s obedience to the call of God over his life.
This is testified to by the text itself. It is worth noting that when we pass these tests God’s purpose flows through our lives to a greater measure. (1Peter 1:3-7) These tests are not easy and require real faith and obedience to face them successfully.
2. It constituted a picture of Messiah’s redemptive work.
The book of Hebrews in the New Testament affirms this when it states that Abraham received Isaac “back from the dead”. (Hebrews 11: 17-19) Jesus confirmed that Abraham “saw His Day” in John chapter eight and verse fifty-six. It is possibly true that on this unique day in Abraham’s life his eyes were opened to recognize the nature of Messiah’s redeeming work on the cross. It is fascinating to read in the text that Isaac carried the wood to Mt. Moriah and then that he was laid on the wood and thus prepared for a sacrificial death. Jesus, in like manner, carried His wooden cross to Golgotha and was “laid” on it.
3. It reminds us that our redemption is based on the vicarious suffering of another.
That, we cannot do anything to merit or earn our way into heaven. (Ephesians 2:8) Our best good works fall far short of God’s perfect standard and are thus “dead works”. The book of Hebrews teaches us that we have to repent from these “dead works” (Hebrews 6:1) and have faith in Christ’s finished work for us on the cross. Abraham, in this passage, was right when, in response to Isaac’s question as to where the lamb would come from, said, “God would provide for Himself a lamb.”
4. It reminds us that human sacrifice, the ritual of dark religious systems, is forbidden by God.
Human life is precious and though marred by sin can be saved and take on the image of Christ. Abraham lived in a world where human sacrifice was routine. The Bible reminds us of the “detestable god of Molech” that demanded the sacrifice of new born babies. It condemns this and promises judgment against it. Today abortion is the new expression of this evil. Humankind is responsible and accountable to God for the things done in their bodies and thus they do not enjoy exclusive rights over their bodies. The God we serve gives every human being worth and dignity and “He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”
5. It reminds us as believers that we are called to a life of faith and obedience.
Abraham, by faith, took hold of the call of God over his life in Ur of the Chaldees. Paul underscores his remarkable faith and in Romans four writes about it. (Romans 4:1-25) This walk of faith would be tested since it had a unique destiny; Abraham would become a father of many nations. We would do well to remind ourselves that our destiny or calling in God will likewise require obedience to fulfill it. God will test our hearts and minds as He did that of Abraham’s. The goal is always the same; that our lives should bear witness to the finished work of Jesus on the cross. Finally,
6. It gives a unique redemptive promise
. At the conclusion of this passage Abraham is told that his obedience to God would mean that “In his seed all the families of the earth would be blessed.” This word “seed” is not in the plural but in the singular form meaning that it is referring to one individual, Jesus of Nazareth. Paul affirms this in Galatians three. The lesson is clear, Abraham’s obedience guaranteed that a Saviour would come and redeem the world by his atoning work.
So, Genesis twenty-two is a remarkable passage of scripture well worth our quiet contemplation and truly we should all thank God for Abraham. His eternal legacy finds ultimate expression in the fact that the God of the universe identifies Himself by associating with Abraham. That is, He is the God of Abraham and his children, Isaac and Jacob. Meaning that He is a God of Covenant, Atonement and Transformation. In addition, though belonging to Christ, we shall forever be designated Abraham’s children. (Galatians 3:29) All praise be to Him!
Malcolm Hedding.
©Malcolm Hedding Ministries
2014Devotional Blog