“It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God’s promises was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, even though God had told him, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.” (Hebrews 11:17-18, NLT)
Most parents have a natural instinct, much like a mama bear, to protect their children. Yet here we find Abraham, so full of trust in his God, he obeys nearly to the point of the death of the son he had long awaited.
In turning back to Genesis, we find no recorded argument or debate between God and Abraham.
Isaac represented so much more than simply having a family. He was the long awaited promise. The son through whom an entire line of descendants would come. God had promised they would outnumber the stars.
The question then becomes would Abraham obey even when God seemed to be working against the promise offering no logical explanation.
Would Abraham hold onto his son or his God?
Abraham travels with his servants, donkey, and Isaac to the place God has appointed. It is then he says something most curious:
“Stay here with the donkey,” Abraham told the servants. “The boy and I will travel a little further. We will worship there, and then we will come right back.” (Genesis 22:5, NLT)
He never wavers in his trust of God. He states unequivocally they (plural) will be right back. Both Abraham and Isaac. Not just one of them. He never once makes mention of a sacrifice.
Just worship.
When the hardest demand or request is being made of him, Abraham’s response is worship. Of this act of worship, Watchman Nee writes:
“True worship is just that – to let go to God all His gifts to us, all our rich experiences and all our hopes in Him, and to find unqualified joy in God Himself.”
(from Tables in the Wilderness, April 9th)
Even in the hardest of times, may we bow low before our God. May we find peace and joy in the presence of God Himself in our lives.
May we simply worship Him,
knowing He is faithful and
all will be well.
Today I am joining … Porch Stories and Tell His Story and Coffee For Your Heart and Woman to Woman .
Love this reminder today, Joanne. It’s been a rough week in our parts with some scary health stuff and more . . . I’m finding that worship lifts this cloud of fear and oppression like nothing else. Thanks for reminding me again today!
Stacey, I will be praying for you today! May we play the worship music louder and dispel any fear and doubt. As we worship, we are reminder that our God is bigger than anything we may face.
I will forever wonder how Abraham did what he did.
Me too, Susan. It is so easy to forget that he was as human as we are.
I took an unintended sabbatical from blogging, including reading and commenting. I missed your beautiful words that always make me think and bring me closer to God. ((Hugs))
Debbie, I missed your writing and wondered where you are. Glad you are back!
Since Abraham was a friend of God, I think he showed Him that Jesus was coming, he didn’t need Isaac. Abraham had come out of idolatry and pagans, human sacrifice was probably a normal thing back then, but He knew this God was different.
Yes I want peace and joy in God’s presence!