In the past few weeks we have examined the life of Abraham. As you have figured out it is difficult to talk about Abraham without talking about his faith. Several times I have reminded you of the passages that praise his faith in Hebrews 11. If you have not read them yet, check this out.
8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. 11 By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.
This Sunday we are going to examine the passage of scripture that inspired the author of Hebrews 11 to write this passage about Abraham’s faith:
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, 18 of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 19 He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.
Abraham was tested by God. He was commanded to take his only son and offer him to God as a sacrifice on the top of Mount Moriah (This was the same mountain that God would appear to David in 2 Sam 24:16 and the temple of Solomon was built, 2 Chron. 3:1). Abraham, “the father of a multitude,” was now asked to give up his greatest treasure and only hope to fulfill God’s promise. But remember, this was a test. After God saved Isaac we are told that Abraham took the ram caught in the bushes and placed him on the altar he had built for his son (Imagine that! Abraham built another altar.) Upon sacrificing the ram on the altar we are told that Abraham named the place, hwhy hary or Yahweh Yireh. Today we know it best by Jehovah Jireh and it means, The Lord will provide. This was the setting that God revealed Himself to Abraham as The Great Provider. This is the foundational setting that we as believers base our faith that God will provide for all of our needs. God provides!
Abraham completely trusted in God to provide even though he had no idea how God was going to do it. He simply trusted God. If that would have been me, I don’t think I could have taken my son to the top of that mountain knowing God demanded a sacrifice. Even if I found enough faith; I probably would have taken a sheep or some other animal in case God changed His mind at the last minute. That is what we do to God. We say we trust Him but we take our backup plan in case things get to difficult. Abraham’s faith had no backup plan. His plan was, God will provide. That is what he said to Isaac when his son asked him where the offering was. He said, “God will provide.” God has a unique and special plan for your life. Your Father wants you to trust Him. Trust Him enough to leave room in your life for Him to work. Give God the room He needs to provide for you.
Be blessed,
Bro. Craig
Simply Craig Yates 