Did Not Withhold! (part 1 of 2)

Abraham is noted as a man of great faith. His life journey was one of following God even when he did not know where God was leading him or when the situation may have been a bit confusing. In his old age, God fulfilled the promise of a son born to his wife Sarah. THIS SON would be the beginning of bringing to fruition the blessing of all nations through Abraham’s seed. What a joy this must have been to Abraham and especially Sarah who seems to have thought the day would never come. (note Genesis 18:12) Then God made what was perhaps the most confusing request of Abraham that could possibly be made.

We read…
“(1) After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, ‘Abraham!’ And he said, ‘Here am I.’ (2) He said, ‘TAKE YOUR SON, YOUR ONLY SON ISAAC, WHOM YOU LOVE, and go to the land of Moriah, and OFFER HIM THERE AS A BURNT OFFERING on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.’” ( Genesis 22:1-2 ESV)

Who of us would not have responded, “But, but, but….” with all kinds of questions or statements about the request being unreasonable? What about the promise? What about all the time spent waiting for THIS SON? There was future blessing that hinged on THIS SON! Nevertheless Abraham set off on the journey in obedience to God. It is no surprise that Isaac asked what was going on, but he accepted his father’s statement that God would provide the lamb for the offering. ( Genesis 22:7-8) So they both went on together.

Abraham was not stopped until the knife was in the air and we read…
“(11) But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, ‘Abraham, Abraham!’ And he said, ‘Here am I.’ (12) He said, ‘Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, SEEING YOU HAVE NOT WITHHELD YOUR SON, YOUR ONLY SON, FROM ME.’” ( Genesis 22:11-12 ESV)

God provided a ram stuck in a thicket ( Genesis 22:13) and this great man of faith had the promise again made to him.

“(15) And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven (16) and said, By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this AND HAVE NOT WITHHELD YOUR SON, YOUR ONLY SON, (17) I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, (18) and IN YOUR OFFSPRING SHALL ALL THE NATIONS OF THE EARTH BE BLESSED, because you have obeyed my voice.’” ( Genesis 22:15-18 ESV)

The Hebrew writer tells us that figuratively speaking, Abraham -- who was willing to offer HIS ONLY SON -- received him back from the dead. ( Hebrews 11:19) Abraham loved HIS SON, but He loved God more and was willing to obey whatever God said. That is great faith.

I know I still have some growing to do in developing that kind of faith. How about you? Unless we grow in our faith there will be parts of our life we will withhold from God. As we meditate on God’s track record we should recognize that even when something may not appear to make sense to us, if God has commanded it He can be trusted to work it out! That’s exactly what He did with Abraham. May we surrender to God’s Will trusting Him to do the same in our life.

Have a great day LEARNING TO TRUST GOD MORE!
Carl

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