I know we all are familiar with the account recorded at GENESIS 22:2, where God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son as a burnt offering to him. I observed that people were actually outraged by this account.
I agree with you all that these feelings are understandable, but there are some points I want us to keep in mind.
First, God did not allow Abraham to go through with the sacrifice, even though Abraham was prepared to do so, nor has God ever again asked such a request anymore. He wants us all to continue living –to enjoy a long and satisfying life.
Secondly, the bible tells us that God had a special reason for asking Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. God knew that many centuries later, he would allow his own son Jesus Christ to die in our behalf (Mathew 20:28). He wanted to convey to us just how much this sacrifice would cost him.
Take note of God’s word to Abraham at Genesis 22:2
“Take please, your only son whom you so love, Isaac, ……….. Offer him up as a burnt offering”.
Notice there that God referred to Isaac as “whom you so love” . He knew how precious Isaac was to Abraham. This was the same way God felt about Jesus Christ.
Observe too, that God used the word “please”, this signifies that he know the costliness of what he was asking. Just imagine how Abraham must have felt, that request grieved Abraham deeply. In a similar way, we can barely imagine the intense pain that God must have felt as he watched his beloved son suffer and die. It was undoubtedly the greatest pain God had ever experienced and ever will experience.
My good audience, I want you all to remember that God did not allow Abraham to sacrifice his son. He spared Abraham the worst loss a parent can suffer. But yet, he did not withhold his own son (Jesus Christ) but delivered him up for us all.
Some might ask, why would God subject himself to such a terrible ordeal? 1 John 4:9 tell us;
“By this the love of God was revealed in our case, that God sent his only-begotten son into the world so that we might gain life through him”.
This indeed is a powerful reminder of the love God really have for us. Does this not move you to show love to him in return. Yes indeed.
As you mentioned, God actually had special reasons for telling Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. There are also lessons to be learnt from this, we all need to be loyal at all times.
Upvoted & Resteemed
J8.
Faith can move mountains
Exactly, many lessons are to be learnt from this.
The incident actually helped to show Abraham's faith. Abraham knew God had many plans for Isaac, it must really have been surprising when God asked for Isaac to be sacrificed. Thanks for sharing Pboss, I always enjoy reading from you. An Outstanding bible student!
Yea it was really interesting reading it,hevis really a good bible student.
The intense love God has for us should surely move us all to love him return. Thanks @jaff8 for your amazing contribution.
It takes the understanding of the holy spirit for one to understand these things, thanks for making it clear for everyone.
hboi
God knew what Isaac means to Abraham, so he want to use it to test Abraham faith.... Great post
It shows his immense love for us, Jesus was priceless, yet he died to set us free!
This was a test of Abraham's faith and love for God. Seeing that he actually was going to sacrifice Isaac, God knew that Abraham's love for him was genuine. This same genuine act of love was seen when God sent Jesus to die for us.
That's very observant of you @sahrodion, this should surely motivate us all to love our God from our heart.
God tested Abraham's faith through an exceedingly dreadful trial by asking him to sacrifice Isaac; his child whom all hopes and promises of offsprings(grand children) rested on.
Abraham passed this trial and became more favored before God's eyes.
In a similar way, God sent His son to die for us and free us from the bondage of sin.
No matter the kind of trial we are going through right now, i believe that God is preparing us for a greater blessing and favour.
Be steadfast in your worship to Him and always pray to make the right decisions.
Have a blessed day.
druids
This is a well thought out comment. Thanks for your amazing contribution.
The lesson I learnt from this story is that God tested Abraham with what he loved the most on earth, to see if that love comes first before God. And Abraham understood that nothing should come before God.
This should not apply to Abraham only, but also to us, God should be our very first love.
In the whole story was just to test Abrahams faith,and same applies to everybody our faith is pit to test every day with every difficulty we face
God told Abraham to kill his son Isaac because their actions are pointing ahead to the person of Christ in a typology of the true sacrifice. First of all, God says to Abraham to take his only son.
The sacrificing of Isaac was a reflection of christ death for us all. It will help us understand what it required for God to give his only begotten son.. Thanks brov
Nice post. New information I learned today
Faith is all that matters in Christianity and through our faith that we will be saved at the end
This puts the sacrifice of Jesus Christ into context...not only did Jesus suffer and die but God the father also lost a son, all for the sake of his beloved humans....Thank you Lord.
Faith in God is the ultimate
God telling Abraham to sacrifice his only son was to test his faith, this also implies to our daily lives, how are we going to react when God test us ? Remember every successful test has a great reward after..... Great post @pboss123
This was a test of Abraham's faith and love for God. Seeing that he actually was going to sacrifice Isaac, God knew that Abraham's love for him was genuine. This same genuine each of love was seen when God sent Jesus to die for us.
God wanted to test his faith in Him..Abraham was ready to do anything for God, because he believed in Him with all his heart and that is what most believers lack today. We are always looking for an easy way out, we select things we want to do for the Lord and not what He wants us to do.
Thank you for reminding us to give in totally to the will of God
"Observe too, that God used the word “please”, this signifies that he know the costliness of what he was asking."
This - "please" - is not in:
"Genesis 22:2 King James Version (KJV)
2 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of."