Faith and Obedience (II)

Bible Reading: Genesis 22:9-14

Yesterday, we examined the faith and obedience of Abraham in sacrificing his only son Isaac as a burnt offering to God. One might ask, why a burnt offering? In Old Testament practices, a burnt offering is usually offered by priests to atone for sins  and to establish a new relationship with God. Leviticus 1 gives some injunctions about how burnt offerings are to be offered to God. Essentially, the animal to be offered would be a male without blemish cut into pieces and its blood sprinkled around the altar. Then the animal is burnt up on the altar. “But his inwards and his legs shall he wash in water: and the priest shall burn all on the altar, to be a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the Lord” (Leviticus 1:9). This was what God asked Abraham to do unto his only beloved son, Isaac. Cut him in pieces and roast him up as a sacrifice to God.

Abraham quickly saddled his donkey the next morning in preparation for the journey of sacrificing his only son. The Bible did not record any inkling of hesitation on Abraham’s part, he simply obeyed. Even though God’s instruction seemed illogical, Abraham did not question God. We also see Abraham splitting wood for the sacrifice of his only child in Genesis 22:3 thus signifying his total surrender to God’s will. When Abraham got to the place of sacrifice on the mount, he built an altar to God and laid his child on it, ready to kill his own son but God interrupted him. God had already made a provision for the lamb to be used for sacrifice even before testing Abraham. There was a sacrificial lamb predestined before God called to Abraham to sacrifice his only child. There was a lamb even before Abraham chose to obey God. The lamb was to be used for sacrifice and not human blood like the idols would require.

Abraham displayed his love for God by his willingness to obey him and sacrifice his only son and God reaffirmed his covenant and his blessing to Abraham.

Daily Confession: I choose to worship God with all that he has given me, I will not hold anything back from my God.

Prayer: Ask for grace for prompt obedience to God.

Hymn: When we walk with the Lord

In the light of His Word,

What a glory He sheds on our way;

While we do His good will,

He abides with us still,

And with all who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey,

For there’s no other way

To be happy in Jesus,

But to trust and obey.