Bible Study - Legacy - A Legacy of Hope - Genesis 22 and Genesis 26 - May 20, 2012

Bible Study – Legacy – A Legacy of Faith – May 20, 2012

This is lesson three (3) in our series entitled “A Lasting Legacy.”

Our scripture is Genesis 22:1-3, 7-14; 26:2-5.

To me this is one of the most compelling events in the Bible. It is hard for me to comprehend that GOD would ask a person to sacrifice their child. GOD not only asked Abraham to sacrifice his promised son, Isaac but to offer him as a burnt offering. A burnt offering meant that Abraham was to kill Isaac and burn his body until nothing was left but ashes. Not a pretty picture.

GOD made a promise to Abraham when HE first called him to serve HIM. Abraham’s call was recorded in Genesis 12:1-2:

The Call of Abram

1 The Lord said to Abram:
Go out from your land, your relatives, and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.a Gn 15:7; Ac 7:3; Heb 11:8
2 I will make you into a great nation,b Gn 17:4-6; 18:18; 46:3; Dt 26:5I will bless you,c Gn 22:17I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.d Or great. Be a blessing!e Zch 8:13

Abraham was Abram until GOD changed his name to Abraham later. Abram responded to GOD’S call. In our lesson, we will discover that GOD would call Abraham to an even higher calling. Would Abraham be willing to give his only son to GOD, as a burnt offering, as an expression of his faith in GOD?

Let’s begin by reading Genesis 15:1-6:

The Abrahamic Covenant

1 After these events, the word of the Lord camea 1Sa 15:10; 2Sa 7:4; 1Kg 6:11; Isa 38:4; Jr 1:2 to Abram in a vision:
Do not be afraid,b Gn 26:24; Isa 41:10; Jr 30:10; Lk 1:13,30 Abram. I am your shield;c Dt 33:29; 2Sa 22:3,31; Ps 3:3; 7:10your reward will be very great.

2 But Abram said, “Lord God, what can You give me, since I am childless and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?”d Hb obscure
3 Abram continued, “Look, You have given me no •offspring, so a slave born ine Lit a son of my house will be my heir.”
4 Now the word of the Lord came to him: “This one will not be your heir; instead, one who comes from your own bodyf Lit loins will be your heir.”
5 He took him outside and said, “Look at the sky and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” Then He said to him, “Your offspring will be that numerous.”g Gn 22:17; 26:4; Ex 32:13; Dt 1:10; 10:22; 1Ch 27:23; Rm 4:18; Heb 11:12
6 Abram believed the Lord, and He credited it to him as righteousness.h Rm 4:3,9,22; Gl 3:6; Jms 2:23

“After these events” refers to Abram rescuing his nephew, Lot. Abram was talking with GOD and told HIM that since he did not have an heir he would make Eleizer of Damascus his heir.

GOD made a promise to Abram that he would father a child. He and Sarai, whose name was changed later by GOD to Sarah, waited. They got impatient and took matters into their own hands. Sarai gave Abram permission to have a child with her slave Hagar. Hagar got pregnant and birthed Ishmael. That was the wrong thing to do.

GOD continued to wait until Abram and Sarai were well beyond child bearing years. GOD wanted them to know that when Sarai conceived, the child was the result of GOD’S power. GOD does the impossible. This likely played an important role in building Abram’s trust, faith and confidence in GOD’S power and ability. GOD builds our confidence in HIM, when we obediently serve HIM.

However, GOD would test Abram’s/Abraham’s faith later in his life in a mighty way. We test to determine if something is genuine. GOD knew Abraham’s heart but did Abraham know his own heart? A test would provide the answer to that question. In the following scripture, we get to see the beauty and depth of Abraham’s obedience and faith in GOD. We find it recorded in Hebrews 11:17-19:

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac.t Gn 22:1-10; Jms 2:21 He received the promises and he was offering his unique son,
18 the one it had been said about, Your •seed will be tracedu Lit called through Isaac.v Gn 21:12; Rm 9:7w Gn 21:12
19 He considered God to be able even to raise someone from the dead,x Rm 4:17 and as an illustration,y Or a foreshadowing, or a parable, or a type he received him back. 

The faith of Abraham in GOD and HIS promises was such that he believed that even though Isaac was reduced to ashes, GOD would raise him up and restore him as Isaac. That to me is powerful faith. We must keep in mind the intimate relationship that Abraham had with GOD. GOD’S desire is for all Christians to have this type of relationship with HIM through CHRIST. Now, let’s explore our scripture.

Bible scholars are not sure the age of Isaac but likely he was in his teens. He was old enough to carry wood up the mountain.

Let’s read Genesis 22:1-10:

The Sacrifice of Isaac

1 After these things God tested Abrahama Dt 8:2,16; 1Co 10:13; Heb 11:17; Jms 1:12-14; 1Pt 1:6-7 and said to him, “Abraham!”“Here I am,” he answered.
2 “Take your son,” He said, “your only son Isaac, whom you love,b Gn 22:12,16; Jr 6:26; Am 8:10; Mk 12:6; Lk 7:12; Jn 3:16; 1Jn 4:9 go to the land of Moriah,c 2Ch 3:1 and offer him there as a •burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.”
3 So Abraham got up early in the morning,d Jos 3:1 saddled his donkey, and took with him two of his young men and his son Isaac. He split wood for a burnt offering and set out to go to the place God had told him about.
4 On the third daye Ex 19:11,16; Jos 9:17; Jdg 20:30; 2Sa 1:2; 1Kg 12:12; 2Kg 20:5; Est 5:1; Hs 6:2; Mt 17:23 Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance.
5 Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go over there to worship; then we’ll come back to you.”
6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and laid it on his son Isaac.f Jn 19:17 In his hand he took the fire and the sacrificial knife,g The same word is used in Jdg 19:29 and Pr 30:14. and the two of them walked on together.
7 Then Isaac spoke to his father Abraham and said, “My father.”And he replied, “Here I am, my son.”Isaac said, “The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”
8 Abraham answered, “God Himself will provideh Lit seei Gn 22:14 the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” Then the two of them walked on together.
9 When they arrived at the place that God had told him about, Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood. He bound his son Isaacj Or Isaac hand and foot and placed him on the altark Heb 11:17; Jms 2:21 on top of the wood.
10 Then Abraham reached out and took the knife to slaughter his son.

“After these things” covers various encounters that Abraham had had with GOD over approximately forty-five (45) years. Abraham and GOD had built an intimate relationship. Abraham knew GOD’S voice and when he heard HIS voice he responded. GOD had been faithful to Abraham in giving him and Sarah their son, Isaac. Isaac was GOD’S miracle child. JESUS is GOD’S miracle child. Let’s consider some of the parallels between Isaac and JESUS:

-         Both were only sons.

-         Both were willing to give their lives.

-         Their destiny was death as a sacrifice unless intervention by GOD. GOD intervened and prevented Isaac’s death but HE did not intervene for HIS only Son, JESUS. JESUS was destined to give HIS life to pay the debt for sin.

-         In the mind of Abraham, Isaac was dead. Abraham and Isaac had a 3 day journey to the place GOD would show him. At that specific place Abraham would sacrifice Isaac and GOD would resurrect him, unless HE intervened.

-         JESUS gave HIS life on the cross, was buried and 3 days later GOD resurrected HIM from the dead. When GOD resurrected HIM, HE received HIS glorified body. This is the body that Christians will receive when JESUS returns to earth the second time.

-         GOD provided the ram as a substitute for Isaac. The ram, the male sheep, was caught in the thicket. The ram is a symbol of CHRIST, Who was crucified in our place. Some think the thicket was symbolic for the crown of thorns that were placed on the head of CHRIST.

-         There was no substitute for JESUS. HE was the Perfect Lamb, Who willingly gave HIS life for our sins. All who believe in HIM are set free from the penalty of sin, which is eternal death and experience the miracle of rebirth, receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, the gift of eternal life and so much more.

-         Both were resurrected from the dead. In essence, Isaac was as good as dead in the heart of Abraham but GOD intervened and spared him from death. GOD allowed JESUS to come to earth for the express purpose for HIM to give HIS life for the sins of mankind. GOD raised JESUS from the dead on the third day. In essence, Isaac was resurrected on the third day.

-         Faith opened the door to GOD for Abraham and all who have faith in GOD through a personal relationship with CHRIST. Faith in JESUS opens the door to GOD eternally with the assurance of receiving a new glorified body and spend eternity with GOD and JESUS in heaven.

Abraham knew the voice of GOD. When GOD spoke to him, he responded. This is exactly what GOD wants from HIS children. GOD’S instructions were very clear. Abraham knew what GOD wanted him to do – sacrifice his only son Isaac as a burnt offering. GOD had told Abraham that he would have descendants. I think this fact re-enforces the faith that Abraham had in the power of GOD.

The pagans living in the area where Abraham lived practiced child sacrifice to their gods. GOD made it very clear to the Israelites in Deuteronomy; they were not to sacrifice children. Deuteronomy 12:29-31:

29 “When the Lord your God annihilates the nations before you,q Dt 19:1 which you are entering to take possession of,r Dt 3:12 and you drive them out and live in their land,
30 be careful not to be ensnared by their ways after they have been destroyed before you. Do not inquire about their gods, asking, ‘How did these nations worship their gods? I’ll also do the same.’
31 You must not do the same to the Lord your God, because they practice every detestable thing, which the Lord hates, for their gods. They even burn their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods.  

So why did GOD tell Abraham to offer Isaac for a burnt offering? GOD was testing Abraham’s faith in HIM. GOD knew the outcome but Abraham didn’t. Abraham had three (3) days to travel from where GOD had told him to sacrifice Isaac to the place that GOD would show him. Abraham had three (3) days to ponder GOD’S request and back out. I can only imagine what must have gone through Abraham’s mind as he traveled to the place that GOD would show him. Abraham was traveling in the dark, so-to-speak, because he did not know the outcome. He had faith in GOD and his hope was in GOD to resurrect Isaac from the ashes.

As we walk with CHRIST each day, we do not know the results of the circumstances we encounter. We walk in the dark. But as I heard Dr. Vance Havner say, “When you are walking in the dark, you have to practice what you have learned in the light.”

GOD had been preparing Abraham over the years for this major event in his life. Abraham had the freewill to choose. Would he go through with GOD’S request? Or would be cave? What did GOD have in store for Abraham when he passed the test?

Abraham packed up all the items necessary to carry out GOD’S request – rope, wood, slaughter knife, fire. He took two (2) young men, likely his servants and Isaac with him. It was a three (3) day journey. On the third day, GOD revealed to him the place where HE wanted HIM to sacrifice Isaac.

Notice something very important in verse 5. Abraham told the two (2) young men to wait while he and Isaac went over to that certain place to worship; then we will come back. Abraham fully believed that once Isaac was reduced to a pile of ashes, GOD would raise him and restore him as he was before he sacrificed him – “We will be back.”

There was not much conversation as Abraham and Isaac traveled to this certain place of worship. Isaac did ask his dad, “Where is the lamb for the sacrifice?” Abraham assured Isaac that GOD would provide the sacrifice.

When Abraham bound Isaac and placed him on the wood, what was going through Isaac’s mind? There is no evidence of a struggle. We can only imagine. In Abraham’s mind, Isaac was as good a dead. Abraham had brought a special slaughter knife. It was a large, very sharp knife. Abraham raised the knife to thrust it into Isaac’s body or slit his throat.

When GOD tells us to be at a certain place, HE means it. Let’s see why that is important.

Let’s read Genesis 22:11-14:

11 But the Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!”He replied, “Here I am.”
12 Then He said, “Do not lay a hand on the boy or do anything to him. For now I know that you •fear God, since you have not withheld your only son from Me.”l Rm 8:32
13 Abraham looked up and saw a ramm Some Hb mss, Sam, LXX, Syr, Tg; other Hb mss read saw behind [him] a ram caught in the thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram and offered it as a burnt offering in place of his son.
14 And Abraham named that place The Lord Will Provide,n Or Yahweh-yireh so today it is said: “It will be providedo Or He will be seen on the Lord’s mountain.”

In verse 11, we see that when the Angel of the LORD called Abraham’s name it was with a sense of urgency and in rapid succession. Abraham responded very quickly. It seems to me that Abraham was like a coiled spring, waiting for GOD to do or say something. Just as he had done when GOD called to him to offer Isaac as a burnt offering, he responded, “Here, I am.”

Abraham passed the test. GOD knew the heart of Abraham and now Abraham knew his own heart toward GOD. GOD knew and Abraham knew that he would not hold back anything from GOD. His faith and trust was centered in GOD. In whom do we place our faith, trust and confidence?

Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught in the thicket and he offered the ram as the burnt offering in place of Isaac. The ram is symbolic of CHRIST, Who gave HIS life for everyone who will believe in HIM as his/her Savior. CHRIST’S shed blood paid in full the penalty for our sins. Every person has a choice either to accept CHRIST or reject HIM as his/her Savior.

Abraham named the place “The LORD will provide.” Christians can look at the cross as GOD’S provision for their salvation. GOD provided HIS Only Son so that all who will believe in HIM become the righteousness of GOD. The Apostle Paul recorded this in 2 Corinthians 5:21 - He (GOD) made the One (JESUS) who did not know sinn 1Jn 3:5 to be sino Or be a sin offering for us,p Rm 8:3; Gl 3:13; 1Pt 2:24 so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Let’s read Genesis 21:15-19:

15 Then the Angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven
16 and said, “By Myself I have sworn,”p Ps 105:9; Lk 1:73; Heb 6:13 this is the Lord’s declaration: “Because you have done this thing and have not withheld your only son,q Sam, LXX, Syr, Vg add from Me
17 I will indeed bless your Heb 6:14 and make your •offspring as numerous as the stars of the skys Gn 15:5; 26:4; Jr 33:22; Heb 11:12 and the sand on the seashore.t Gn 13:16; 32:12 Your offspring will possess the gates of their enemies.u Gn 24:60
18 And all the nations of the earth will be blessedv Or will bless themselves, or will find blessing by your offspringw Gn 12:3; 26:4; Ac 3:25; Gl 3:8 because you have obeyed My command.”
19 Abraham went back to his young men, and they got up and went together to Beer-sheba. And Abraham settled in Beer-sheba.

The Angel of the LORD is GOD. Abraham passed the test. Did this confirm the lineage of JESUS? We do not know but we do know that JESUS did come through the ancestry of Abraham.

Abraham had complete faith in GOD. This is the kind of faith GOD desires for HIS children. It is a faith of obedience as revealed by the indwelling Holy Spirit that can only come through a personal relationship with CHRIST. It is all about having the right relationship with CHRIST and dying to self in order for the Holy Spirit to lead you.

What impact did this event have on the life of Isaac? It was certainly a moment that he would never forget. It was a moment that revealed the trust, confidence and faith that Abraham had in GOD. Did this result in Isaac having the same faith in GOD that his dad had? What a legacy to leave behind.

Our next scripture fast forwards to Isaac as a grown man.

Let’s read Genesis 26:1-6:

1 There was another famine in the land in addition to the one that had occurred in Abraham’s time.a Gn 12:10 And Isaac went to Abimelech, king of the Philistines, at Gerar.b Gn 20:2
2 The Lord appeared to him and said, “Do not go down to Egypt. Live in the land that I tell you about;
3 stay in this land as a foreigner, and I will be with you and bless you.c Gn 12:2; 26:24; 28:15; 31:3 For I will give all these lands to you and your •offspring,d Gn 12:7; 13:15; 15:18 and I will confirm the oath that I swore to your father Abraham.e Gn 22:16-18; Ps 105:9
4 I will make your offspring as numerous as the stars of the sky, I will give your offspring all these lands, and all the nations of the earth will be blessedf Or will bless themselves by your offspring,g Gn 12:3; 18:18; Ac 3:25; Gl 3:8
5 because Abraham listened to My voice and kept My mandate, My commands, My statutes, and My instructions.”h Lv 18:30; Dt 11:1
6 So Isaac settled in Gerar.

Isaac and his family faced a drought like his father faced when he took his family to Egypt. In Egypt, Abraham introduced his wife as his sister. He was afraid that if they knew she was his wife they would kill him and take her for the king. When the king learned the truth he was very angry with Abraham and returned Sarai to him with a scolding.

Now, Isaac faced a drought and GOD spoke to Isaac. Isaac had already repeated some of his dad’s mistakes. HE told him not to go to Egypt. Isaac was obedient and settled in Gerar. GOD cares where we live and work. Christians need to ask for HIS guidance.

GOD reconfirmed to Isaac that the promises HE made to Abraham would continue if he was obedient to HIM. HE would be with him and bless him, as well as, his off-spring.

Isaac was obedient to GOD and settled in the Gerar. Abraham was obedient to GOD and his hope was in GOD. These patriarchs were not perfect. They had their flaws but their faith, trust, confidence and hope was in GOD. Is CHRIST your hope? There may be a reason that HE is not your hope. If so, confess it to GOD and ask HIM to restore your walk with HIM and leave a legacy of faith and hope in GOD. Blessings!