http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2022-24&version=NIV
In lieu of my comments today, please see what DA Carson has to say about Genesis 22 below. DA Carson is an eminent theologian who has written commentaries on the books of Matthew and John. I have profited greatly from his writings.
Via DA Carson, For the Love of God, Volume 1 – January 21, 2010
THE DRAMATIC POWER of the testing of Abraham by the offering of Isaac Gen. 22 is well known. The very terseness of the account calls forth our wonder. When he tells his servant that we (22:5 — i.e., both Abraham and Isaac) will come back after worshiping on Mount Moriah, was Abraham speculating that God would raise his son back from the grave? Did he hope that God would intervene in some unforeseen way? What conceivable explanation could Abraham give his son when he bound him and laid him on the prepared altar?
A trifle earlier, Abraham’s reply to Isaac’s question about the lamb is a masterstroke: “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son” (22:8). There is no suggestion that Abraham foresaw the cross. Judging by the way he was prepared to go through with the sacrifice (22:10-11), it is not even clear that he expected that God would provide a literal animal. One might even guess that this was a pious answer for the boy until the dreadful truth could no longer be concealed. Yet in the framework of the story, Abraham spoke better than he knew: God did provide the lamb, a substitute for Isaac (22:13-14). In fact, like other biblical figures (e.g., Caiaphas in John 11:49-53), Abraham spoke much better than he knew: God would provide not only the animal that served as a substitute in this case, but the ultimate substitute, the Lamb of God, who alone could bear our sin and bring to pass all of God’s wonderful purposes for redemption and judgment (Rev. 4 – 5; 21:22).
“The LORD will provide” (22:14): that much Abraham clearly understood. One can only imagine how much the same lesson was embedded in young Isaac’s mind as well, and to his heirs beyond him. God himself connects this episode with the covenantal promise: Abraham’s faith here issues in such stellar obedience that he does not elevate even his own cherished son to the place where he might dethrone God. God reiterates the covenant: “I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me” (22:17-18). On this point, God swears by himself (22:16), not because otherwise he might lie, but because there is no one greater by whom to swear, and the oath itself would be a great stabilizing anchor to Abraham’s faith and to the faith of all who follow in his train (cf. Heb. 6:13-20).
This post was submitted by Russ Shellhamer
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Abraham’s death and resurrection concept. As we walk with God we will see this same concept in our own lives. We hear from God and believe on His promises but as time passes, it just seems it will never come to pass. We can get the point of utter despair or even hopelessness of His promise to us. But then one day, God starts to resurrect what He promised to us and we just stand in awe as it comes to pass. God will get the glory and we will truly understand Zech 4:6 … 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD of hosts. If you find yourself in the mist of something God has promised you and it seems it will never come to pass, remember the resurrection day is coming! What God promises, He fulfills.
ReplyDeleteThe New Testament gives some insight into this event.
Heb 11:17-19
By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, "In Isaac your seed shall be called," concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.
John 8:56-58
"Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad."Then the Jews said to Him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?" Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM."
The Father is ready to offer up His Son. This Son is no ordinary Son. He is the child of promise who had a miraculous birth. All of God’s promises are dependent on this Son. He will inherit everything and through this Son all the earth will be blessed The command is given to offer up this son but it must be at the appointed place. For 3 days, this child of promise is as good as dead. Finally they arrive at Mount Moriah where later the Temple of God will be built. The father lays on his son’s back the wood for the sacrifice. With the wood on His back, the Son walks up the mountain to the appointed place. At this place, the Son willing lays down his life upon the alter of wood. The Father loves the Son and the Son loves the Father. Yes, this event in history will forever be called Jehovah-Jirah (THE-LORD-WILL-PROVIDE)
Heb 9:14
how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
John 10:17-18
"Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. "No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father."
Genesis 24. The Bride for the Son. The Father is now ready to find a bride for his son. He sends forth His trusted Servant to find a bride for His Son. The Servant is sent into a foreign land to accomplish the will of the Father. The trusted servant finds Rebekah near the well. The Servant tells her all about His Master's Son. He presents to her gifts. But will she accept someone into her life she has never seen? Will she become the Bride of the Son? This is the question we all must face in this life. She responds, yes I will go. The trusted servant leads Rebekah back to his master's son. The Son is in the field and sees the bride coming. The Bride is ready and the time of the wedding feast has come.
ReplyDeleteLet us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready