The Lord Will Provide - A Place and a Promise

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DAILY READING:

Genesis 22:1-18

REFLECTION

The Lord Will Provide - A Place and a Promise

by Dan Kidd

Knowing what we know about God, this is an odd and uncomfortable story. We know that ours is not a God who demands sacrifice for his pleasure—especially not human sacrifice. He is the God of life, love, and provision. But this this is an important early chapter, as Abraham (and with him, all of humanity) is learning about who Yahweh is relative to the gods and religions around them. Yahweh had, to this point, been ambivalent about how much he could trust Yahweh. He’d followed God out of his homeland and been promised the blessing of a nation more numerous than the stars—blessed that through him, the world would be blessed. But Abraham had often acted in his own self-preservation, looking not for Yahweh’s provision; twice he’d lied about his relationship with Sarah (fearing the for his safety, he’d claimed she was not his wife, but his sister, and then handing her over to be the bride of Pharaoh and the Abimelech). Abraham had also come to doubt God’s promise about his bearing a son, and so he married Hagar despite Yahweh’s plan that Sarah would birth Isaac.

Despite his failures, Yahweh had been faithful to care for Abraham. In today’s passage, we see evidence that Abraham may have learned his lesson. God calls Abraham to sacrifice Isaac—his “only son”—in Moriah. But when Isaac becomes curious that the sacrificial lamb is conspicuously missing, Abraham responds, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” Perhaps Abraham now understands the Lord’s character enough to trust that despite appearances, Yahweh will come through once again. His faith is confirmed.

Abraham named that mount in Moriah his learned confession, “The Lord will Provide.” There would now be a place on the map, a mountain standing tall and true, that proclaims the character and care of our God.

This is the truth about God: He will provide. We can trust that God is for us—that what he says will be will be. Certainly, there have been times, and there are times to come, when all does not seem right or well to us—times where we’ve convinced ourselves that our fate rests on our grit and cunning. But Abraham learned otherwise. Let us have faith that God is generous and capable, and let us put our full trust in his will and way.

PRAYER PRACTICE

Cup Prayer: This prayer will help you pour your heart out to God (Ps. 62:8). Begin with your hands folded together like an upside-down cup. Pour out before God all your fears, anxieties, guilt, sin and shame. Tell Him what troubles you. Take time to be specific. When you feel like you’ve poured out your heart, flip your hands over, folding them like an open cup, ready to receive from God. Sit in silence, asking God simply to fill you with His Spirit. If your mind runs back to sin, shame, anxiety or concerns of the day, flip your hands back over and pour it out to the Lord. When you are finished praying, read today’s Scripture and listen as God shares His heart back with you.

Abraham tested

Today’s reading is rather famous (and infamous). Many have struggled to understand how God could test Abraham in this way. But this passage isn’t just a test – it’s also a revelation and a promise. God would never ask Abraham to give his only son. And yet, what God would not ask of His people, God Himself will do. God will give His only son, Jesus, to save us from sin and death. As you read, look for symbols and phrases in the story which connect with the story of Jesus.

STUDY THE SCRIPTURE

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REFLECTION

Trust and Obey 
by Judy Webb

Sometime 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.” Genesis 22:1-2

This is a jaw-dropping story to anyone who hasn't heard it before. Abraham and Sarah prayed for a child for years and finally a son is given to them by God. Now, this father, Abraham, is being asked by God to sacrifice their child as an act of obedience and trust. 

Once they arrived at the place where the sacrifice was to take place Abraham instructed is 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. Genesis 22:5. 

I have glossed over this verse too many times to tell. But today, as I read, I saw the word we, and began to understand the real meaning of faith. Abraham loved and trusted God so much that he just knew God's plan wasn't to harm him (or Isaac), but to prosper him. (Jeremiah 29:11) Abraham's faith was expressed with that one small word we. Maybe he didn't realize what he was saying, but for sure, his faith was such that he trusted God implicitly. 

Read Hebrews 11:17-19 for even deeper understanding. Abraham expressed confidence that he and Isaac would return even though he intended to obey God's command.

Let's pause for a minute and soak in this next scene. As they approach the designated spot for the sacrifice, father and son are exhibiting an obedience that surpasses all understanding. Does this scene seem at all familiar? Perhaps foreshadowing a future event of another father and son? 

Isaac, the innocent only son of Abraham/Jesus, the innocent lamb and only son of God. So many parallels: three days journey to the Mount for Isaac/three days in the tomb for Jesus, Isaac carries the wood for the burnt offering/Jesus carries his cross to the hill. Both young, blameless, and willing to die. The difference is only one actually gave up his life.

It is also thought that Mt Moriah, where Isaac was meant to be sacrificed, and the hill at Calvary were the same location. It has taken 100 years, but Abraham learned to trust God. What is the hardest test of faith you have ever been through? How has God been teaching you that you can trust him?

UALC’S CAMPAIGN OF PRAYER

TUESDAY - TRUTH In the midst of all the messages being heard, pray for accurate information to drown out false reporting and click-bait tactics.