God was with Him

We are familiar with the narrative.

God makes a covenant with Abram.

Genesis 15:5 (NET) - The LORD took him outside and said, ‘Gaze into the sky and count the stars - if you are able to count them!” Then He said to him, “So will your descendants be.”

Abram trusted God and was considered loyal according to verse 6.

Genesis 15:6 (NET) - Abram believed the LORD, and the LORD considered his response of faith as proof of genuine loyalty.

When Abram was 99 years old, God reaffirms this promise even though Abram’s wife Sarai had not conceived (Genesis 17).

God changes Abram’s name to Abraham and Sarai’s name to Sarah.

Here is Abraham at almost 100 years of age and Sarah at 90 and still Sarah has not had a child.

Abraham suggests to God that He fulfill this covenant through Ishmael who was conceived through Hagar, Sarah’s servant.

God has his own plan.

Genesis 17:19 (NET) - God said, “No, Sarah your wife is going to bear you a son, and you will name him Isaac. I will confirm my covenant with him as a perpetual covenant for his descendants after him.”

God then tells Abraham that this will happen in approximately one year.

It did.

Genesis 21:5 (NET) - (Now Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.)

Yet, in Genesis 22, God tells Abraham to offer his only son, whom he loves. as a burnt offering.

Abraham obeys.

He, Isaac and two young servants set out for the destination God stipulated.

On the third day, they are within site of the destination.

Abraham and Isaac proceed alone leaving the two servants behind.

Genesis 22:6 (NET) - Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and put it on his son Isaac. Then he took the fire and the knife in his hand, and the two of them walked on together.”

They conversed along the way.

Based on the facts that Isaac carried the wood and that he had an intelligent conversation with his father Abraham it can be safely concluded that a number of years had passed since Isaac’s birth.

We know the rest of the narrative.

Abraham is ready to sacrifice his only son whom he loves but God stays his hand at the last moment.

God was indeed with Abraham through this trial.

What of Isaac?

Isaac was old enough to converse with his father, yet he neither tried to change his mind nor did he beg for his life.

Isaac was strong enough to carry the wood, yet he neither tried to overpower nor even simply run away from a man one hundred years older than he was.

Yes, God was with Abraham.

Let us keep in mind that God was with Isaac, too.


Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeet.byethost3.com on Friday, December 3, 2010.

Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!

I’ll be back here on Friday, December 10, 2010.