The Lord Will Provide

“Now it came about after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 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 rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him and Isaac his son; and he split wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him”. Genesis 22:1-3

The story of God asking Abraham to sacrifice his and Sarah’s only son, Isaac, is beyond understanding. For sure, it was a test that was never expected. Abraham loved God, trusted God totally and responded immediately as we see in this passage. How did Abraham do this?

Did God not say to Abraham before Issac was born, that in Sarah’s and his old age they would have a son, a miracle child? This son was the only heir, the object of their love, their legacy and future of everythingpromised. It looks like what God had promised, He is now taking away. So, what did Abraham do? Abraham acted on the promise of God and rather than his understanding and certainly not his feelings.

The age of Isaac is not mentioned. However, we do know Isaac was big enough to carry wood up a mountain after a three day journey. Issac understood the sacrificing process and asked his father where the sacrifice lamb was as they walked up Mt. Moriah. The response he heard from his father, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” That was enough for Isaac and they continued their journey to the top of the mountain.

Then the binding of Isaac, laying him on the altar, with knife in hand, was beyond comprehension for both dad and son, but hadn’t Abraham told the young men waiting at the bottom of mountain for them, WE will worship and WE return to you. Abraham knew that the God who had given him the promise would fulfill it. He had witnessed God’s faithfulness for many years. Yet, this time Abraham and Isaac saw a new facet of God, “Jehovah-jireh”—The Lord will provide. Yes, Abraham had spoken those words to his inquiring son climbing up the mountain, but now they both go down the mountain having experienced that provision with deeper love, stronger trust in their God that kept His promise.