Love That Never Fails

8. Faithfilled Love and Obedience

Have you ever come across a recount of events in the Bible and wondered why a loving God would have allowed it to happen? This is why it's important to understand the Word of God in its entirety and not just take bits out of context. God's love is woven throughout His Word from beginning to end and we are so privileged to be able to read it and see the big picture emerge, just as we do with this unusual passage:

"Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied. Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you." Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about.

On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. He said to his servants, "Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you." Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, "Father?" "Yes, my son?" Abraham replied. "The fire and wood are here," Isaac said, "but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?" Abraham answered, "God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." And the two of them went on together.

When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied. "Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son." Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, "On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided."

The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time and said, "I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me." Then Abraham returned to his servants, and they set off together for Beersheba. And Abraham stayed in Beersheba."
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭22:1-19‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This test surely revealed Abraham's very solid faith! Imagine being asked to sacrifice your own son! This would not have made sense after he had waited so long to become a parent, however we see that throughout the ordeal, Abraham seemed confident in his Heavenly Father, while at the same time, willing to obey. God had made a promise to make Abraham the father of many nations and it was time for him to just trust the One who made the promise rather than trusting in the promise itself.

Notice how God refers to Isaac as the only son whom you love. This is actually the first time love is mentioned in the Bible! It's surely no accident that it's the love between a father and a son that is highlighted and becomes a important when we see it in context with the love of God for His son Jesus, who He willingly sacrificed on the cross a Calvary.

Abraham's incredible faith is seen so powerfully when he tells the servants we will come back to you. This shows he was confident that God would provide a sacrifice or if needed, even raise his son from the dead! All he knew was that it was impossible for God to break His promise!

It's significant that Isaac carried the wood for his own sacrifice up the mountain in the same way we later see Jesus carrying his own cross to Calvary. We also see that Isaac submitted to his father's will. He didn't struggle when it indeed appeared he would be sacrificed on the altar —he laid down willingly.

Abraham demonstrated his love toward God in that he was willing to give up his beloved son Isaac. God showed His love for us by being willing to give up His only begotten Son Jesus.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
‭‭John‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

How wonderful that God provided a substitute in the ram just as Jesus became our substitute, the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29)

Let's pray:

Dear Lord,

It really is amazing to read this story in the light of New Testament events. Thank You so much for giving us a glimpse of the love You have for us through the love Abraham had for his son. We can never thank You enough for sending Your Son Jesus to be sacrificed on the cross in order that our sins be dealt with once and for all! Thank You for Your perfect provision and incredible love.

Amen.