All Too Much?
Opening Prayer
God, every day You have something to speak to me. Please help me to be ready to hear and obey.
Read Genesis 22:1–8
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
[1] Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. [2] Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love-Isaac-and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” [3] Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. [4] On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. [5] He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.” [6] Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, [7] Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” [8] Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What are some things in your life that the Lord has asked you to give to him? This is a long walk of faith—about 45 miles from Beersheba. I just can’t imagine what must begoing through Abraham’s mind as he sets off up the mountain, with his wood, his fire and hisson. How much of this is coming back down with him? He doesn’t say anything to Sarah. Notonly is God asking him to sacrifice the son they waited for so patiently, but if that happens, itwill also surely wreck the future of God’s big plan itself. Won’t it? No son, no future generations(17:3–8). How much of a test can one person withstand?Notice how Abraham explains to his servants that he and Isaac will go to worship, and “then wewill come back to you.” Is Abraham simply hiding the truth from them, or does he believe thatthe Lord will somehow work things out so that Isaac will come back alive? Abraham won’t haveforgotten the promise God made in 21:12.This is a long walk of faith—about 45 miles from Beersheba. I just can’t imagine what must be going through Abraham’s mind as he sets off up the mountain, with his wood, his fire and his son. How much of this is coming back down with him? He doesn’t say anything to Sarah. Not only is God asking him to sacrifice the son they waited for so patiently, but if that happens, it will also surely wreck the future of God’s big plan itself. Won’t it? No son, no future generations (17:3–8). How much of a test can one person withstand?
Notice how Abraham explains to his servants that he and Isaac will go to worship, and “then we will come back to you.” Is Abraham simply hiding the truth from them, or does he believe that the Lord will somehow work things out so that Isaac will come back alive? Abraham won’t have forgotten the promise God made in 21:12.
Apply
The Lord asks us give our lives as living sacrifices to him. In what ways can you give yourself to him anew today?
Closing prayer
Jesus, I desire to give my all to You. Please give me the strength to lay down my life as a living sacrifice each day.
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