Scripture: Genesis 22.
The Jews were startled (or riled) when they heard Jesus telling
them that Abraham had seen his (Jesus) day and rejoiced over it
(John 8:56-59).
There is no discord between the testaments. What is left a
mystery in the Old Testament can be understood by the light in the
New Testament. As someone has aptly said, the Old contains the New
and the New explains the Old. The person and works of Jesus
fulfills and explains the prophecies of the Old Testament. For
example, the prophets had a glimpse and tried to determine when
salvation would be wrought in Christ: "Even angels long to look
into these things" (1 Peter 1:10-12).
When Paul wrote of the inspiration of Scripture, he was
referring to the Old Testament (2 Timothy 3:16-17). It was the
Bible for Jesus and the early disciples. Jesus profusely quoted and
accurately interpreted its intent and spirit.
Jesus is the New Testament. All the 27 books accepted in the
canon (Matthew to Revelation) center around His person, His works,
and His teachings (Colossians 1:16-20). He is the wisdom of God and
the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:24). He is the author and
finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).
God spoke to Abraham both in vision and in person. One
prophetic picture he was led to experience was the call to offer his
son Isaac as a burnt offering: "Take your son Isaac, your only one,
whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. There you shall offer
him up as holocaust on a height that I will point out to you"
(Genesis 22:2).
Here God tested the faith of Abraham. It also demonstrates to
the world that when God chose people to do His works, He selects
those who will follow the ways of God and pass on the same to posterity (Genesis 18:19).
In His foreknowledge God saw this quality in Abraham and so chose him
to impart God's plan of redemption to the world (Genesis 12:1-3).
After both Abraham and Sarah were beyond any hope of having
their biological child, God promised them a son. But ten years
elapsed before this was fulfilled. God meant to convey that His
acts are supernatural.
Being advanced and beyond childbearing age, Sarah chuckled when
it was told she would bear a child. The Lord replied, "Is anything
too hard for God? (Genesis 18:11-14). When Mary puzzled over how as
a virgin she would get pregnant, the angel Gabriel replied, "For
nothing is impossible with God" (Luke 1:37).
The birth of Isaac was a miraculous act of God. The son of
promise. Knowing this Abraham did not hesitate when called upon to
offer his son as a sacrifice; he was convinced that if God can
supernaturally bring Isaac to the world God can also raise him from
the dead (Hebrews 11:17-19).
In Genesis 22:2, the word 'love' is used for the first time in
the Bible -- "your only son Isaac, whom you love". Sarah and
Abraham must be doting parents. Perhaps not wanting any competition
or conflict with any other female over the affection of Isaac, Sarah
may have kept Isaac from marriage. Only after his mother Sarah
died, Isaac married at age 40 (Genesis 24).
As far as God is concerned, Abraham had offered his son Isaac.
He was tested and found faithful. God provided a substitute and
Abraham came home with his beloved son Isaac (Genesis 22:10-14).
This is a beautiful picture of John 3:16. This time the beloved Son
of God truly died (Isaiah 53); but He rose again because He was
sinless (Psalm 16:10; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
The provision for salvation is complete (Romans 10:9-10). All
those who come to Christ may die physically, but they will rise
again and put on immortality (1 Corinthians 15:53; 1 Peter 1:21-
25). For with God nothing is impossible.
Embrace God's gift of salvation in Christ Jesus today --- now! (2 Corinthians 6:2).
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