Day 3
Read Genesis 22
Things begin to get interesting in Abraham’s story here (yes, his name is now Abraham). God
tells him in verse 2, “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.” Let’s take a step back…while this may sound cruel or harsh, God is trying to test Abraham.
Look at how Abraham responds with faith even before they get up to the top of the mountain,
where he is supposed to sacrifice his son.
Genesis 22:7-8
“The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”
Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the
two of them went on together.
God was testing Abraham’s faith, as well as his obedience. Abraham, do you believe that I can
still make you into a great nation and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the
sky, even if you don’t have a son to carry on the family name? This is where Abraham’s faith was
challenged to grow even deeper. Abraham didn’t have as much at stake in His obedience
before….leave my land and follow God for blessings, power and impact--that takes some faith.
But now, there’s much, much more at stake. However, Abraham’s faith never wavers, even for a
second.
At the last minute before Abraham sacrifices his son, an angel of the Lord appears and stops
him. Then Abraham notices a ram caught in some bushes on the mountain. Abraham grabs the
ram and sacrifices the ram instead of his son Isaac. God is showing another interesting piece of
His plan to restore creation here. This is the first time we see a substitute sacrificed in place of
what originally should have been sacrificed.
This is another way that all of scripture is pointing to Jesus Christ. The one who was sacrificed in
my place, your place ,and the place of all who would but their faith in Him. The punishment that
you and I deserve was placed upon Him, so that we could be restored to perfect unity with God.
Questions to consider.
1. It’s easy to follow God when your faith doesn’t cost you much, but faith is much harder
when it requires sacrifice. What has your faith in God and obedience to Him cost you?
2. What things in your life make obedience to God difficult? How can you begin to walk in
faith and obedience through these things?
3. How does it make you feel that the cross that Jesus died on should have been yours?
Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ
Jesus our Lord.” Take some time and consider through prayer all that Jesus endured in
your place and thank Him for stepping in as a substitute.
Things begin to get interesting in Abraham’s story here (yes, his name is now Abraham). God
tells him in verse 2, “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.” Let’s take a step back…while this may sound cruel or harsh, God is trying to test Abraham.
Look at how Abraham responds with faith even before they get up to the top of the mountain,
where he is supposed to sacrifice his son.
Genesis 22:7-8
“The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”
Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the
two of them went on together.
God was testing Abraham’s faith, as well as his obedience. Abraham, do you believe that I can
still make you into a great nation and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the
sky, even if you don’t have a son to carry on the family name? This is where Abraham’s faith was
challenged to grow even deeper. Abraham didn’t have as much at stake in His obedience
before….leave my land and follow God for blessings, power and impact--that takes some faith.
But now, there’s much, much more at stake. However, Abraham’s faith never wavers, even for a
second.
At the last minute before Abraham sacrifices his son, an angel of the Lord appears and stops
him. Then Abraham notices a ram caught in some bushes on the mountain. Abraham grabs the
ram and sacrifices the ram instead of his son Isaac. God is showing another interesting piece of
His plan to restore creation here. This is the first time we see a substitute sacrificed in place of
what originally should have been sacrificed.
This is another way that all of scripture is pointing to Jesus Christ. The one who was sacrificed in
my place, your place ,and the place of all who would but their faith in Him. The punishment that
you and I deserve was placed upon Him, so that we could be restored to perfect unity with God.
Questions to consider.
1. It’s easy to follow God when your faith doesn’t cost you much, but faith is much harder
when it requires sacrifice. What has your faith in God and obedience to Him cost you?
2. What things in your life make obedience to God difficult? How can you begin to walk in
faith and obedience through these things?
3. How does it make you feel that the cross that Jesus died on should have been yours?
Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ
Jesus our Lord.” Take some time and consider through prayer all that Jesus endured in
your place and thank Him for stepping in as a substitute.