Hebrews 11: 17-19
A weekday morning devotional series written by Aaron Marcarelli and hosted by Chad McBeam
“By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and the one who had received the promises was offering up his only son; it was he to whom it was said, “Through Isaac your descendants shall be named.” He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type.”
Hebrews 11:17-19 NASB2020
After all that Abraham and Sara went through finally Isaac is born.
“Then the Lord took note of Sarah as He had said, and the Lord did for Sarah as He had promised. So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the appointed time of which God had spoken to him. Abraham named his son who was born to him, the son whom Sarah bore to him, Isaac. Then Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him.”
Genesis 21:1-4 NASB2020
Then God tested Abraham and told him go and offer up Isaac as a burnt offering.
“Now it came about after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.” So Abraham got up early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him and his son Isaac; and he split wood for the burnt offering, and set out and went to the place of which God had told him.”
Genesis 22:1-3 NASB2020
I am struck by a couple of things. Abraham did not question this request. And he did this the very next day without delay. It was not like Abraham did not question God. He did it all the time. He begged God to save Sodom and Gomorrah, he questioned God when He told Abraham he was going to have a child in his old age. But when God asks him to sacrifice his only son, he does not question God, he does so immediately. The writer of Hebrews said Abraham did this because; “He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type.”
This is the ultimate “But God” moment. The Wycliffe Bible commentary describes Abrahams faith in this moment, like this “The faith of Abraham was tested in at least two ways 1. he was required to offer to God the best and the dearest of his possessions 2. he was required to offer to God the son of promise. Abrahams future was assured to him only through Isaac. If Isaac were to die what of the promises of God to Abraham? In making his offering Abraham demonstrated in practical fashion his belief that death is no problem to God. Death can be neither barrier nor deterrent to his keeping a covenant promise. God was able to raise him up even from the dead. This parable similitude, as though Isaac were actually returned from the dead; a resurrection.”
Therefore, Abraham trusted God because he knew He was a God who followed through on His promises. He had been true to His word in the past. It was nothing that Abraham did or did not do that caused God to follow through. God was going to do what God said He was going to do and Abraham had learned through the experiences of his life to trust God. That is why He was able to follow through with this request. Which would become a foreshadowing of the coming of Christ and His ultimate sacrifice and resurrection.
Lord, thank you for your promises. Thank you that we can trust in you. Forgive us for the times we have doubted you and your promises. Thank you for your forgiveness and for Christ and his ultimate sacrifice and resurrection. We pray for your mercy and grace in Jesus name Amen…
Shalom Blessings and Press In and Press On!