Genesis 22

Scripture:  Genesis chapter 22

Observation:  A powerful chapter of Scripture.  Abraham is told by God to sacrifice his son Isaac.  With no protests and no delays, Abraham gathers his son and supplies and goes off to Mount Moriah to offer his son as a sacrifice to the Lord.  Just as Abraham prepares to kill his son, the Lord's angel stops him, and God confirms Abraham's faith, because he would not withhold his beloved son.  God provides a ram for the offering, and Abraham names the place Jehovah-Jireh, which means The Lord Will Provide.  We then see the children of Abraham's brother Nahor, including the birth of his great-niece, Rebekah.

Application:  I am always amazed at this story and at Abraham's faithfulness.  I try to picture in my mind this elderly man taking his young son to be sacrificed, and I cannot imagine what was going through Abraham's mind.  I can only hope to be half as faithful as Abraham, and to trust in God as this wise man did.

Prayer:  Father, You did far beyond what Abraham did.  You didn't withhold Your Son who was innocent so that mankind could have a Redeemer.  Abraham set a fine example but You did the actual sacrificing.  I know that I could never be as faithful as You, but I do strive to be faithful like Abraham.  Help me to trust You with all my heart and to lean not on my own understanding (Prov. 3:5).  You have shown Yourself to be the One True God who can be trusted above all things.  In Jesus' name, Amen.