When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son, but the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!”
“Here I am” he replied. “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burn offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And on to this it is said, “On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.”
Genesis 22:9-13
Meditation.
Did you ever wonder what went through Abraham’s mind when he believed that God wanted him to sacrifice his son?
Of course, at that particular time in history, sacrifice of the first-born was not unusual and seen as an offering to the gods who would then allow the rest of the children to live. Did Abraham think that God was like the other gods? We will never know in this world. But God did not want sacrifice of the flesh, but sacrifice of the heart. Abraham was prevented from sacrificing Isaac and was given a ram instead, and for his willingness was promised great blessings.
What are we willing to sacrifice for God?
Every July 4 the USA celebrates its Independence. Many men and women sacrificed a great deal for this to happen and many people all over the world have sacrificed a great deal for their independence...
independence from tyranny, independence to practice their religion, freedom from fear.
Isaac was freed so that he could become the father of Esau and Jacob and thereby the grandfather of Israel. Jesus has freed us, has given us independence from the tyranny of law by giving us the law of love to follow. He has freed us so that we might experience the joys of eternal life. We all have much to celebrate everyday no matter where we live, so let us thank God for freedom.
Prayer.
Loving God, you gave Abraham back his son and you give us so much. May we always be grateful for all your gifts, and share them every day. We especially, thank you for the gift of freedom from the fear of death and the gift of salvation. in Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
Author: Jose Reyes