Post by Woody Williams on Mar 14, 2006 8:58:37 GMT -5
Text for the Day -- Genesis 22:1-2, 9-14
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After these things God tested Abraham. He said to him, 'Abraham!' And
he said, 'Here I am.' He said, 'Take your son, your only son Isaac,
whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a
burnt-offering on one of the mountains that I shall show you.'
When they came to the place that God had shown him, Abraham built an
altar there and laid the wood in order. He bound his son Isaac, and
laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out
his hand and took the knife to kill his son. But the angel of the
Lord called to him from heaven, and said, 'Abraham, Abraham!' And he
said, 'Here I am.' He said, 'Do not lay your hand on the boy 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.' And Abraham looked up and
saw a ram, caught in a thicket by its horns. Abraham went and took
the ram and offered it up as a burnt-offering instead of his son. So
Abraham called that place 'The Lord will provide'; as it is said to
this day, 'On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.'
Devotional
----------
As Jesus was tested on the mountain, so was Abraham. Would Abraham
pass the test of total obedience? Most certainly! It is a great
moment in Biblical history, even though terrifying, when Abraham puts
complete trust in God's will. He had no way of knowing that God would
provide a substitute at the last moment. It was a prefiguring of
Christ, the Savior who was provided for our forgiveness. Such grace
as this is a big surprise for us who in our own minds know that we do
not deserve life forever.
Prayer
---------------
Strengthen my faith to trust in your will and grace alone, O Lord.
Amen
----------
After these things God tested Abraham. He said to him, 'Abraham!' And
he said, 'Here I am.' He said, 'Take your son, your only son Isaac,
whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a
burnt-offering on one of the mountains that I shall show you.'
When they came to the place that God had shown him, Abraham built an
altar there and laid the wood in order. He bound his son Isaac, and
laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out
his hand and took the knife to kill his son. But the angel of the
Lord called to him from heaven, and said, 'Abraham, Abraham!' And he
said, 'Here I am.' He said, 'Do not lay your hand on the boy 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.' And Abraham looked up and
saw a ram, caught in a thicket by its horns. Abraham went and took
the ram and offered it up as a burnt-offering instead of his son. So
Abraham called that place 'The Lord will provide'; as it is said to
this day, 'On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.'
Devotional
----------
As Jesus was tested on the mountain, so was Abraham. Would Abraham
pass the test of total obedience? Most certainly! It is a great
moment in Biblical history, even though terrifying, when Abraham puts
complete trust in God's will. He had no way of knowing that God would
provide a substitute at the last moment. It was a prefiguring of
Christ, the Savior who was provided for our forgiveness. Such grace
as this is a big surprise for us who in our own minds know that we do
not deserve life forever.
Prayer
---------------
Strengthen my faith to trust in your will and grace alone, O Lord.
Amen