Gen. 22:6-106And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together. 7And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? 8And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. 9And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. 10And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. (Genesis 22:6‑10)
But there was yet more to attract attention in the father’s expression, “I and the lad will go yonder and worship.” One might well inquire: How could Abraham speak of worship at such a time? Surely it was the obedient heart and resulting nearness to God that called forth worship at a time when the greatest trial of his life was before him. And furthermore, he could express that spirit of worship for his son, saying, “I and the lad will... worship.” The measure of individual response to God’s ways will be reflected in others. It is happy to see Abraham’s faith and spirit of worship thus communicated to Isaac as well.
In this stirring account of Abraham’s testing, the Holy Spirit would exercise each believer’s heart, for we are told concerning the Old Testament people: “All these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition.” 1 Cor. 10:1111Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. (1 Corinthians 10:11). The believer today may not be called upon to offer his only son, but faith will experience the divine voice in many ways of life, sometimes calling for the sacrificing of things that the heart would hold dear. The old nature would hold tight to its possessions, seeking to substitute or compromise when the Word of God awakens the conscience. Richness of blessing, however, will only be experienced when everything is undertaken in faithful, unquestioning obedience. Peace and quietness of spirit resulting therefrom, the cost of the sacrifice will not be burdensome, for the vision will be lifted up to see a better Object. May God grant more courage to His own so to walk!
“And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together. And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? And Abraham said, My son, God will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.” vv. 6-8. Up to this point there had been no expression from Isaac. But now his question confronts Abraham: “Where is the lamb?” A searching question indeed! What answer could the father give to the one whose life he soon expected to take? The response was an answer of faith, suited to all that had transpired since God’s instructions had first been heard: “God will provide... a lamb.”
Then soon thereafter came the moment when Isaac must be told and when he, himself, must know the test of faith. “And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.” vv. 9-10.
How it must have touched that old father’s heart to be confronted with this final moment, as he looked upon his only son whom he loved so dearly, lying there ready and willing to give his life in obedience to the instructions given him. Yet this is only a feeble expression of the much greater love of God who gave the One whom He loved from all eternity —gave Him a sacrifice for sins, “the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.” 1 Peter 3:1818For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: (1 Peter 3:18).
ML 12/19/1965