Bible Talks: Abraham: The Friend of God

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Genesis 22: Con’t.
THE parallel, but excelling, display of God’s love, found in type in Abraham’s faithfulness, does not end with what has already been commented. Indeed, it is an inexhaustible subject and the more it is explored the more the Holy Spirit will delight our hearts with the lovely narrative. For instance, Isaac bound and laid on the altar spoke in type of the Lord Jesus going into death for us. When the bonds were removed and Isaac resumed his place at his father’s side, he pictures to us Christ in resurrection and His return to heaven, where He is presently seated at His Father’s right hand. Releasing of his bonds of figurative death is a reminder as well that there is a promise of resurrection to all who are Christ’s through faith in Him. “Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And... was buried, and... rose again the third day.” “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by Man came also the resurrection of the dead.” 1 Cor. 15:3,4,20,213For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: (1 Corinthians 15:3‑4)
20But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. (1 Corinthians 15:20‑21).
When first contemplating the ram to which God directed Abraham, the reader’s thoughts will turn to the many offerings of animals—sheep, goats, bullocks, rams and even doves —placed for so many generations on Jewish altars. But alas, the more the account of old is reviewed, the more the failure of God’s earthly people in connection with those offerings will be seen. Finally the record of God’s disapproval is heard: “In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin Thou hast had no pleasure.” Heb. 10:66In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. (Hebrews 10:6). The prophet Isaiah expressed God’s displeasure in the words: “To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto Me?... Bring no more vain oblations.” Isa. 1:11,1311To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the Lord: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats. (Isaiah 1:11)
13Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. (Isaiah 1:13).
God then manifested His wondrous grace by providing the true Sacrifice, “the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.” Peter, also directed of the Holy Spirit, penned these memorable words: “Ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold... But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” 1 Pet. 1:18,1918Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: (1 Peter 1:18‑19).
The ram, “Caught in a thicket by its horns,” appointed of God to be Isaac’s substitute, sweetly speaks of God’s own Son. The “horns” speak of strength and power, while “the thicket” pictures to us this wilderness world. Christ came into this world in the power of divine love. It was not merely the nails that held Him to the cross, but the strength of His love for us.
In past ages God sought the hearts of men in many ways—ever seeking to show His love and win their hearts. But the whole world has ever preferred to walk in the darkness of its own evil ways. In the parable of the vineyard, God is pictured as sending many servants to those who should have responded to Him, but His servants were mistreated and sometimes killed. Finally, “Having yet therefore one son, his well-beloved, he sent him... saying, They will reverence my son. But [they] said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him.” Mark 12:6,76Having yet therefore one son, his wellbeloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son. 7But those husbandmen said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours. (Mark 12:6‑7). Yet, knowing that this would be so, such was the love of God toward mankind that He sent His well-beloved Son into the world, that we might live through Him.
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