November 20, 2023

Genesis 22:1-8 (HCSB)
The Sacrifice of Isaac
22 After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he answered. 2 “Take your son,” He said, “your only son Isaac, whom you love,go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.” 3 So Abraham got up early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took with him two of his young men and his son Isaac. He split wood for a burnt offering and set out to go to the place God had told him about. 4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5 Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go over there to worship; then we’ll come back to you.” 6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and laid it on his son Isaac. In his hand he took the fire and the sacrificial knife, and the two of them walked on together. 7 Then Isaac spoke to his father Abraham and said, “My father.” And he replied, “Here I am, my son.” Isaac said, “The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” 8 Abraham answered, “God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” Then the two of them walked on together.

Tracie Joiner
As we read these verses, I can’t help but know I would be shaken if I were Abraham. Abraham's obedience amazes me. His obedience shows that he trusted God. He did not hesitate. He rose early in the morning, saddled the donkey and prepared for the task at hand. It doesn't say he sought advice from others and tried to find a way out of obedience. It doesn't say he fought God. Now, I'm sure he had an uneasy night's rest. But he knew God. He trusted in God. He knew God's promise that his seed would be traced through Isaac and God's promises never fail. What faith!