THE LORD WILL PROVIDE

Abraham's Test of Faith Genesis chapter 22

Whether Christian, Jew or Muslim, most people are aware of the amazing account of how Abraham was called to offer his son in sacrifice to God. We see a man of faith, tested to his limits as he is called on to offer to God that which was of such immense value, his only son. For the sake of this article I would like to leave aside the debate concerning the identity of the son, Isaac or Ishmael, not because it is not of importance but because there are certain lessons that God teaches us in this historical account regardless of the identity of the son. I would like to focus on those.

There are three aspects of the account in particular that I would like to focus on. They present us with questions, for which the answers are of great importance.

1) Why did God send Abraham to a particular mountain ?

In verse 2 of Genesis ch.22, we read that God said to Abraham "... go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you." In verse 4 we are told, "Then on the third day Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place afar off." The question is WHY ? Why a particular mountain ? Why was it necessary for Abraham to travel for three days to arrive at a specific place ? The test of Abraham's faith was the offering of his son, the place was irrelevant. And yet God insists that Abraham travel three days to arrive at a specific mountain. It is evident that the place of this sacrifice was of importance.

God had a specific lesson that he wanted to teach. Is it not striking that this is most probably the mountain where Jesus was later crucified? In his Bible commentary John Gill, speaking of this verse, says of Jesus, "and who suffered near Jerusalem, on Mount Calvary, which very probably was a part of Mount Moriah; and which, with other mountains joining in their root, though having different tops, went by that common name."

2) Why did God provide a ram to replace Isaac ?

Abraham passes the test of his faith. He willingly takes his son to the mountain that God has indicated. He binds his son to the altar and raises his hand to slay his son. At this point v12 tells us that the Angel of the Lord says to Abraham, "Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me." It was sufficient, God now knew that Abraham feared Him. At this point the test is over. And yet we go on to read, "Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son."

Abraham offered a burnt offering INSTEAD of his son. He had already told his son in v8, "My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering." The question again is WHY ? The test of Abraham's faith ended at the point where he had shown himself willing to offer his son. Why does not God simply let the son go free ? Why is a lamb offered in the place of the son ? Once again, there is significance in this act. God is teaching us something.

God's word had gone forth. The son was to be offered in sacrifice. And yet God allows a lamb to be offered in the place of the son. The lamb is a substitute for the son. God's word has also gone forth, "the soul who sins shall die" Ezekiel 18v4. The Bible teaches that the "wages of sin is death" Romans 6v23. Ever since Adam and Eve rebelled against their Creator and disobeyed Him, mankind has been subject to the penalty of death. Death is separation. Spiritual death is the separation of man from God, the situation of each human being born in to this world Ephesians 2v1. Physical death is the separation of the soul from the body. Eternal death is the final, everlasting separation from God at the day of judgement of those who are condemned to hell, whose names are not written in the Lamb's book of life Revelation 20v14-15, 21v27.

We have all broken the commandments of God and are condemned to death. And yet God has provided a sacrifice that takes our place. A lamb that is offered in the place of sinners. That is surely what God is teaching in this passage. A substitution is possible, one that can take the place of the one condemned to die. Jesus said he came, "... to give His life a ransom for many" Matthew 20v28, Mark 10v45. I Peter 3v18 tells us, "For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God". Jesus Christ died as the lamb of God, taking upon himself our sins, the just for the unjust. It is this substitutionary sacrifice that enables a sinner to be forgiven and reconciled to God. Abraham had to offer a sacrifice, a substitute for his son. Jesus Christ offered himself as a substitute for sinners.

3) Why does Abraham say "the Lord will provide" ?

After having offered the lamb in the place of his son it then says in v14 "And Abraham called the name of the place, The-LORD-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, "In the Mount of The LORD it shall be provided." But God had already provided a lamb for his son. Why does Abraham speak in the future ? What will God provide on this mountain in the future ? The answer to this question is surely found in the words of the prophet John the Baptist in John 1v29, "The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!". By faith, Abraham was referring to God providing a lamb in that same place more than 2000 years later. Jesus Christ, the lamb of God. The sacrifice for sins to which all the other animal sacrifices pointed. The only sacrifice that truly takes away sin.

Jesus Christ says in John 14v6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

Genesis 22 is one of many examples of how the Old Testament teaches of the Messiah to come. He is our only hope, the only way to be reconciled to God. Each one of us is called to come to God, confessing our sins, and call on Him to forgive us through the sacrifice of the Lamb of God in our place. God has promised forgiveness and eternal life to all who come to Him through Jesus.

Hebrews 7v25 "Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him "

I John 1v9, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

John 3v16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

Abrahamic Faith