Genesis 22:1-14,"The Ultimate Sacrifice"

This is the story of Abraham and Isaac. Tim Goossen spoke on it when they were in town this weekend. It was very meaningful to me. I might record all of my notes or just what stood out to me.

Genesis 22:1-14

Abraham's Faith Confirmed
Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, "Abraham!"

And he said, "Here I am."

Then He said, "Take now 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 of which I shall 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 the wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. Then on the third day Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place afar off. And Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you."

So Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife, and the two of them went together. But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, "My father!"

And he said, "Here I am, my son."

Then he said, "Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?"

And Abraham said, "My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering." So the two of them went together.

Then they came to the place of which God had told him. And Abraham built an altar there and placed the wood in order; and he bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, upon the wood. And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.

But the Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!"

So he said, "Here I am."

And He said, "Do not lay your hand on the lad, 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."

Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son. And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, "In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided."

Notes:
God wanted to be sure that He is/was still their greatest love even above Isaac
God's gifts to us can intervene with our love for Him
each trial preparing him for the next step
Abraham did not know this was a test
test-bring out the good in a child of God
v.2 extent of test
     sacrifice only son
     God telling Abraham to give up Isaac
       his only son
      whom thou lovest
      first time "love" mentioned in the Bible so far
      greatness of Abraham's love for his son
      offer him a burnt offering-completely
v.3 Abraham's response
      responded in obedience
      quality of obedience-disciplined
      rose up early
      prepared obedience
      so nothing to hinder
      prompt obedience
      decisive obedience
      only individual can understand
Acts 21:10
  ready to be bound-Paul
  hindering Paul
  God's clear command
  even well-meaning Christians could hinder
v.5  meaning of test
  we will worship (told servants)
  worship implies sacrifice
  Christ died for us
  true worship--sacrifice
  no easy worship
Malachi 1:13
  what a weariness
  unacceptable offerings
  has to be a sacrifice
"we're going to come back"
 trusted God to raise him from the dead
 in Isaac, his descendants
 God needs to be in the equation
 act of faith, act of fellowship
v.6 went together
  fellowship with Christ
  fellowship of His sufferings
  fellowship with other brethren going through same things
 Isaac-picture of man
   going to his death
   mankind headed towards death
   sacrifice needed
   Isaac's question-where is the lamb?
God paid a much higher price
God will provide Himself
personal faith is needed
look to God for provision
v.9 came to place God had told them of
  place known to Abraham
I love you very much son but I love God more
fear of the Lord
now I know that you fear God
Isaac-also picture of Christ
v.9 bound Isaac his son
    stronger than Abraham
    Isaac didn't defy his dad
    altar-God's judgment
    God's judgment is imminent
    knife and fire-signs of judgment
    hell is judgment for man
    for believer-judgment is the cross
    for Abraham-total surrender
v.11 outcome of test
   not withhold only son
   Abraham loves and fears God-proved this
   God knew but wanted to prove to others
   evidence of faith-works
   evidences of love-sacrifice
God's provision-ram in the thicket
  right in time
  Christ died for us while we were yet sinners
  not marred or sick-just caught by his horns
  substitute-taking our place
vv.16-18
   God confirms his covenant with Abraham
   in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed
   learned about the Messiah
   so all can hear the gospel
   Is your all on the altar?
 

My own thoughts: ("Our" refers to "our family") I feel like you were our sacrifice to God. Even though it's a different scenario, and we were never "asked", we trusted God to take our life and what we have been given and do with it as He pleases. We dedicated you as a young child and you were baptized with the intention to serve the Lord.

That's not always (probably rarely) how we think it's going to be. We think, yes, we will go to church, tell others about Christ, maybe be a missionary, etc. But are we willing to do anything to spread the Gospel? Even give our own life or our children's lives? The answer is yes. We had the "love" part down for sure. We loved you and love you so much. It was a true sacrifice, and even though we didn't have a choice, our attitude toward what happened reflects how we view it.

Were you ripped from our lives unfairly and unjustly? Did God owe us a full life with you? As Pastor Goossen said, God owes us nothing, but He provides us with everything we need. He provides the comfort and healing to get through losing you, if we let Him.

This message made me think of the song, "For the Beauty of the Earth" that was sung at your service by Anna and Naomi. I have always loved their rendition and knew I wanted it sung at my funeral. "Lord of all, to Thee we raise-this our sacrifice of praise!" That's what you are-our sacrifice of praise! You were a gift to us from God. But the greatest gift was God giving us His only Son to die on the cross as punishment for our sins. He gave His Only Son. We have another son, thank God. Not that it makes up for losing you, but it's noteworthy. God gave His Only Son. Isaac was Abraham's only son. You were not my only son-I have another one to stay with me. And sweet Hopie. Of course, we would want you here, but God chose you for a higher purpose. God choose one of MY children for this-praise His Holy Name!

You weren't sickly or weak. You were healthy and in the prime of your life. All that was "wrong" with you is that you got in a car accident. You had a lot to offer this world and you touched so many lives. I miss you sweet boy but God loves you so much more than even I do, even though it feels like that's not possible. I love you and am so proud of you!