“Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.”
Hebrews 11:19
If you had just been caught cheating on a chemistry test, you’d know the consequence awaiting you: a failing grade. But what if the teacher said that your straight-A classmate took the 0% so that you would have a 100% instead. It sounds crazy—someone else paying the price for your failure. And yet, that’s exactly what God promised to do for us.
In the story of Abraham and Isaac, we see a picture of this. God commanded Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, yet Isaac was the child through whom God’s promises would be fulfilled. How could the promise continue if Isaac died? The book of Hebrews tells us Abraham believed God could raise Isaac from the dead. Rather than requiring Abraham to go through with the deed, God provided a substitute— someone (in this case, something) to step in. At that moment, Abraham received his son back.
Years later another Son would walk up a hill carrying wood on His back, and no ram would take His place. Jesus, the Lamb of God, became the true sacrifice so that we could be free. Do you trust in the Lamb God provided for you?
In the story of Abraham and Isaac, we see a picture of this. God commanded Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, yet Isaac was the child through whom God’s promises would be fulfilled. How could the promise continue if Isaac died? The book of Hebrews tells us Abraham believed God could raise Isaac from the dead. Rather than requiring Abraham to go through with the deed, God provided a substitute— someone (in this case, something) to step in. At that moment, Abraham received his son back.
Years later another Son would walk up a hill carrying wood on His back, and no ram would take His place. Jesus, the Lamb of God, became the true sacrifice so that we could be free. Do you trust in the Lamb God provided for you?
Scripture Focus
Genesis 22:1-18
Insight
Father, help me to trust that even when obedience to You seems hard, Your grace and mercy are sufficient to guide me through the day. Amen
Bible In A Year
- Job 3-4
- Psalm 44
- Luke 7