God had promised Abraham that he would birth a nation that would bless the world (Genesis 12:1-4). This required a son, but no heir had come (Genesis 15:1-15). And it had been so long since the promise. Finally, when Abraham was 99 years old (and Sarah 90), the Lord appeared again, once more promising a child to Abraham. Sarah laughed (Genesis 18:12). It was funny—an old man and woman having a baby boy? The joy and the laughter arrived when God’s promise came true, when Isaac was born (Genesis 21:5).
Life became richly good for Abraham. He had his son, and his family had settled in Beersheba. Abraham beamed with joy. But then a dark cloud shrouded the story, for we read these dreadful words: “Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you” (Genesis 22:2).
Abraham obeyed. Courage and faith moved him, but any father will admit that the request must have seemed insane. Abraham gathered the wood and the flint for the fire. He took his son and the supplies, and they made the 3-day journey up the mountain. What a sorrowful journey that must have been!
Thankfully, the story ends well. Abraham raised the knife to slay his son, and an angel stopped the grievous act. “Do not hurt him in any way,” the angel said, “for now I know that you truly fear God” (Genesis 22:12).
Only once did God make such a demand of a human. But this story pointed to a day when God would sacrifice His Son Jesus. God spared Abraham’s son because of love; but for the same reason He did not spare His own Son (John 3:16).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Luke 19:1-27
More:
Read Romans 8:31-39. Why did God not spare His Son? What connection does Paul draw between God’s unwillingness to save Jesus from suffering and His unwillingness to diminish His love toward us?
Next:
What is your reaction to Abraham’s near sacrifice of Isaac? How does this influence your reaction to God’s sacrifice of Jesus?
alli on August 27, 2013 at 6:57 am
I think it means to mean sometimes God will not spare us from pain in order for his purposes. I used to think God wasnt a really God parent, bc He would allow you sometimes to suffer i figured in my mind i would try to prevent pain. But God doesnt if He knows the pain now will produce greater purpose He will allow the pain. I suppose Abraham needed that test, if all you need is God, would He have made an idol of His son.
winn collier on August 27, 2013 at 3:52 pm
I know that with my boys, I can’t always protect them from ever pain and difficulty – and that’s a good thing. I can protect them from much, but not from everything.
alli on August 27, 2013 at 7:00 am
If God was willing to see His son suffer for my sake, it is an obvious reason that He will allow us go suffer for benefit of others. I used to have a problem with this but i suppose its what love is about
tom felten on August 27, 2013 at 8:30 am
Winn, good thoughts on the amazing love of God. I’m reminded of what John wrote about Jesus: “We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters” (1 John 3:16).
ehdlive on August 27, 2013 at 11:15 am
Now I know why GOD so blessed Abraham. He has that same mind and heart as with God, willing to sacrifice their very sons because of love. I wonder if I could do the same.. What an amazing love!
winn collier on August 27, 2013 at 3:52 pm
“because of love” – that’s it.
naomiruth on August 27, 2013 at 12:23 pm
ODJ wants to know when I was baptized. I was baptized as an infant, sprinkled by my Methodist preacher father.
After coming to true faith in Jesus Christ as an adult, I wondered for many years whether I should be baptized again.
As a senior citizen, I was baptized in the North Platte River in Brighton, Colorado by Pastor Jim Zastrocky of Christ the King Fellowship.
winn collier on August 27, 2013 at 3:51 pm
I think I know this river, Naomiruth. I pray your baptism deeply touched you.
mike wittmer on August 28, 2013 at 11:14 pm
I can’t imagine the horror of what God asked Abraham to do. So I should be even more horrified that God did it to himself–and all for me! What love!