Read Genesis 22 – Sometimes one’s faith is tested.
If this is your first time reading this chapter, your faith may feel tested in the second verse. God tells Abraham to take his son, his only son up to the mountain and sacrifice him. Wait, what? Yes, but, keep reading mama bear…
Our chapter is filled with symbolism about Jesus. Starting with verse :2; God says nearly the same words about Jesus (Matt 3:17, 17:5 / Mark 1:11). And God does offer Jesus, His one and only Son, as a sacrifice for our sins (John 3:16).
As you read, consider Isaac’s willingness. He is not a small child, verse :6 tells us the wood for the burnt offering was laid upon his shoulders – as Jesus would carry his own cross up to Golgotha (John 19:7)… Both sons were willing to be obedient to their fathers, even to lay down their lives.
Isaac asks Abraham where the sheep is for the burnt offering, Abraham answers in great faith, the Lord will provide (:8). And at the last possible moment, an angel stops Abraham from killing Isaac. He truly fears the Lord, and will not withhold anything from Him. God provides a ram in the thicket for the burnt offering.
Beloved, while these verses are unique to Abraham (Jesus was the perfect sacrifice and God will not ask anyone to sacrifice their child), one might wonder why God asked this of him. God knows Abrahams heart, as He knows yours, but sometimes we don’t know our own and the Lord will bring circumstances to refine our faith. “Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh (which means “the LORD will provide”). To this day, people still use that name as a proverb: “On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.” Genesis 22:14
Judy in the Sky 