Series Introduction: 

Over the past few weeks, we have been observing Abraham's journey of faith as they eagerly anticipated God's promise to provide him and Sarah with a son. We saw how God called Abraham (originally named Abram) to leave his homeland and travel to a new land that God would reveal to him. God assures Abraham that he will become the blessed father of a great nation. Without hesitation, Abraham obeyed God's call and set out on the journey with his wife Sarah (originally named Sarai) and nephew Lot for the land of Canaan. There, God reaffirmed His promise to give Abraham descendants and reassured him that his offspring would one day inherit the land of Canaan and would be as numerous as the stars in the sky! 

Abraham's faith in God's promise was counted as righteousness. But even the strongest faith can waver, and in a moment of doubt and frustration, Sarai suggested that Abraham have a child through her servant, Hagar. Sadly, Abraham agreed to this, and Ishmael was born through Hagar. But God didn't abandon Hagar and Ishmael. He promised to protect her and her child, all while reaffirming His covenant with Abram and Sarai. God even renames Abraham and Sarah to remind them of his promises.

Years later, the Lord visited Abraham in the form of three men. They deliver the joyous news that Sarah would have a son within a year. Sarah overheard their conversation and laughed in disbelief. The visitors also revealed God's plan to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah due to the wickedness of their inhabitants. Abraham, being the righteous man he was, interceded on their behalf and pleaded for the sake of the innocent. God promised Abraham he would not destroy the city if even ten righteous people could be found, but unfortunately, the cities were destroyed. Only Lot and his daughters were spared.

It has been quite a journey, but in our passage this morning, we will finally see God fulfill His promise! This whole journey has been a journey of faith and through trials and triumphs, Abraham has learned to trust God and to follow Him obediently in faith, but as we will see, there is still one last test of faith for Abraham. 

Scripture Reading: 

Genesis 21:1-7:  The Lord visited Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did to Sarah as he had promised. And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the time of which God had spoken to him. Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore him, Isaac. And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him. Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. And Sarah said, "God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh over me." And she said, "Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age."

Genesis 22:1-18: After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am." He said, "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you." So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. Then Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you." And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together. And Isaac said to his father Abraham, "My father!" And he said, "Here I am, my son." He said, "Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" Abraham said, "God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son." So they went both of them together.

When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am." He said, "Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me." And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called the name of that place, "The Lord will provide"; as it is said to this day, "On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided."

And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven and said, "By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice."

Opening Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we gather in Your presence to seek Your wisdom and understanding as we explore Your Word. Remind us of Your faithfulness and the power of Your promises. Help us understand the significance of Abraham's story and trust in You wholeheartedly. Open our hearts to receive Your truth and apply it to our lives. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Introduction:

At last, after twenty-five years of waiting and longing, the great day came—the promised son was born to Abraham and Sarah. Imagine the emotions that must have flooded their hearts. For twenty-five long years, they clung to God's promise, believing that He would indeed bless them with a son from whom kings and nations would be born and, ultimately, the Savior of the world! God proved Himself to be faithful, and His power was evident as He did exactly as He had promised. This passage not only reveals the birth of Isaac but also unveils the character of our unchanging God, one who always keeps His Word.

God's Faithfulness in His Promise: 

Our passage this morning begins with the simple statement: 

"The Lord visited Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did to Sarah as he had promised. And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the time of which God had spoken to him."- Genesis 21:1-2

God's promises are never empty promises. We can trust that he will deliver exactly what he has promised us. It's a reassuring thought that brings us comfort in times of uncertainty. At 100 years old, well beyond the age of childbearing, the birth of Isaac was not due to Abraham's strength or abilities but solely to God's miraculous intervention. The birth of Isaac reminds us that God's power transcends human limitations. Just as He fulfilled His promise to Abraham and Sarah, He will fulfill His promises to us, for His faithfulness knows no bounds. 

After these things came to pass, we read:

And Sarah said, "God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh over me." And she said, "Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age." - Genesis 21:6-7, ESV

Sarah's heart overflowed with joy as she held her promised son, Isaac, in her arms. At first, the idea of becoming a mother at her age seemed impossible, and she laughed at the promise with doubt and disbelief. But now, at ninety years old, Sarah laughed with joy while holding her miracle baby, a testament to God's faithfulness and miraculous power. In fact, the Hebrew root word for "laughter" is found in Isaac's name. In Hebrew could read her words as "everyone who hears it will Isaac for me."

Let us not forget that Sarah's joy and gratitude were focused entirely on the Lord. Her journey from doubt to fulfillment is a powerful reminder that God's faith remains constant, even when we struggle to trust in His promises. Her experience shows us that God can transform impossible situations into miraculous demonstrations of His might. Like Sarah, we may not always understand God's timing or plans for our lives, but we can trust in His faithfulness.

The Sacrifice of Isaac 

With all the joy we read about in Genesis 21, one would think that we would have reached the happy ending we have been waiting for for so long. After all, Isaac's birth was more than just a historical event. He was destined to become the patriarch of a godly line that would ultimately lead to the birth of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. Sarah's son was to play a vital role in God's plan of salvation for humanity. Most of us have grown up hearing these accounts, so we know where this is heading, but imagine you were hearing this for the first time. Imagine the relief you would feel at seeing the long-awaited promise fulfilled, only to turn the page and read God's call to Abraham in Genesis 22.

After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am." He said, "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you." - Genesis 22:1-2, ESV. 

Have you ever faced a moment in your life that demanded absolute surrender? A moment where you had to let go of everything, even the most precious thing to you? Here we see Abraham facing just that. It was a test of faith, a test of love, and a test of surrender to God's will. Imagine being asked to sacrifice your own son as an offering! But there is a deeper meaning behind this unusual command from God.

The phrase "After these things" indicates that some time has passed. Most scholars believe Isaac was at least in his teenage years, if not older. It seems so strange that God would ask Abraham to do such an unthinkable, especially after all these years. Isaac was the fulfillment of God's promise, the embodiment of Abraham's dreams and hopes. Abraham had followed God in faith, always with this promised son in mind. Now God was calling Abraham to give up the promise he had waited so long for.

The word "test" in this passage is typically used when someone endures hardship, and the goal of a test in scripture is always to reveal what lies at the heart of the person or group being tested. We see figures like Job, Solomon, Daniel, and even the entire nation of Israel being tested by the Lord for the sake of revealing their hearts. While no one enjoys having their faith tested, the result is always ultimately for our benefit. When we pass the test, our faith is forever strengthened, and even if we fail the test, we are allowed to repent and see where our faith needs to grow. At the heart of Abraham's test is the question of whether Abraham had learned to trust God and follow Him, even if all the blessings and promises were stripped away. What was the most important thing in Abraham's life, the gift or the giver?

Let us take a minute to realize what was being asked of Abraham. A burnt offering involved cutting out and burning a whole animal on the altar. During the Old Testament, the sacrificial animal symbolically stood in for the one offering the sacrifice so that the animal's death symbolically atoned for the worshipper's sin. Now it is essential to realize that God never intended for Isaac (or anyone besides Christ) to be sacrificed for the sins of another. In fact, we read in scripture that God abhors human sacrifice. 

"You shall not give any of your children to offer them to Molech, and so profane the name of your God: I am the Lord." - Leviticus 18:21, ESV. 

"You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way, for every abominable thing that the Lord hates, they have done for their gods, for they even burn their sons and their daughters in the fire to their gods." - Deuteronomy 12:21, ESV.

God wants us to know that this is not the way to approach and please Him. God's true desire is for us to offer ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to Him. This means that we should surrender our lives entirely to His will, which is an essential part of true worship and devotion.

"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." - Romans 12:1, ESV

Unfortunately, throughout history, we've seen examples of depraved acts of human sacrifice in heathen religions and devil worship. 

"[They] have built the high places of Baal to burn their sons in the fire as burnt offerings to Baal, which I did not command or decree, nor did it come into my mind." - Jeremiah 19:5, ESV

"They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to the demons; they poured out innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan, and the land was polluted with blood." - Psalm 106:37-38, ESV

Interestingly, the story of Abraham and Isaac bears similarities to the sacrifice made by God's own Son, Jesus Christ. Through this story, God was foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice He would make for the sins of the world. In that sacrifice, we see the sacrificial love of the Father, who gave His only begotten Son for our redemption. 

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16, ESV

"He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?"- Romans 8:32, ESV

God tested Abraham to reveal the depth of his faith and the reverence, love, awe, and true worship he had for God. Through this test, Abraham showed that he loved God more than anything else, even his own son. However, God was not calling Abraham to do something which God himself would not do for us. If God would send His perfect Son to be our once and for all sacrifice, what then should we be willing to give up for God?

God's Word does not tell us what thoughts went through Abraham's mind. We only see that Abraham set out with the intention to obey the Lord: 

So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. - Genesis 22:3-4, ESV

This is a true example of the power of obedience, even when we face perplexing questions and challenges. God's command to offer Isaac as a sacrifice must have been heart-wrenching for Abraham. How could he reconcile the promise of a Savior coming through his son with the command to sacrifice him? Abraham's mind must have been flooded with conflicting thoughts, questioning the very essence of God's command.

Despite these doubts, Abraham's obedience to God remained steadfast. He didn't wait to have all the answers before taking action. Instead, he began preparing for the journey without fully understanding God's plan. As we encounter uncertainties and questions in our walk with God, it is important to remember that obedience is not contingent on having full understanding. We can trust God even in the midst of perplexity. Our faith and trust in God allow us to move forward in obedience, even when we don't have all the pieces of the puzzle. We can follow in his footsteps and embrace the process of surrender, not withholding anything from God. 

As Abraham and Isaac drew closer to the mountain, I am sure that the temptation to turn back was great. Still, Abraham did not turn back. Eventually, they came to the mountain. 

Then Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you." And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together. And Isaac said to his father Abraham, "My father!" And he said, "Here I am, my son." He said, "Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" Abraham said, "God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son." So they went both of them together. - Genesis 22:5-8, ESV. 

When he was faced with the daunting task of sacrificing his own son, Isaac, he believed that God could even bring him back to life if needed.

"By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, "Through Isaac shall your offspring be named." He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. - Hebrews 11:17-19, ESV

 This incredible trust showed just how deeply Abraham had surrendered to God's power. As they made their way up the mountain, Abraham's heart was heavy with the weight of what was to come. But even in the midst of his worry, he never lost faith in God. Just like Abraham believed that God could fulfill His promise through Isaac, we must trust that God can use our surrendered lives for His kingdom's benefit. 

"Whenever the Lord gives a command, many things are perpetually occurring that enfeeble our purpose: means fail, we are destitute of council, all avenues seem closed. In such straits, the only remedy against despondency is to leave the event to God, in order that he may open a way for us when there is none." - John Calvin

It takes unwavering trust to give ourselves completely to God, but that's what He asks of us. Absolute surrender to God requires complete faith in His power. It's easy to offer ourselves partially or conditionally, but God asks for our unreserved trust. As we follow in Abraham's footsteps, we can be confident that our surrendered lives will be used for His divine purposes. 

God Will Provide the Lamb

And Isaac said to his father Abraham, "My father!" And he said, "Here I am, my son." He said, "Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" Abraham said, "God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son." So they went both of them together. - Genesis 22:7-9, ESV

When Isaac, Abraham's beloved son, inquired about the lamb for the burnt offering, Abraham's response reveals the depth of his trust: 

"God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son" - Genesis 22:8 ESV.

Despite the challenging circumstances and the seemingly impossible situation, Abraham believed that God would supply what was necessary for obedience. In life, God might call us to things that seem impossible, but God does not call us to a task that he will not help us complete. In one way or another, Abraham knew that God would provide. 

As Abraham prepared to offer Isaac as a sacrifice, God intervened miraculously. 

When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am." He said, "Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me." And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called the name of that place, "The Lord will provide"; as it is said to this day, "On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.". - Genesis 22:9-14, ESV

Just as Abraham's knife was poised to fulfill God's command, a ram was caught in the thicket, provided by God as a substitute for Isaac. This event marked God's immediate provision for Abraham's need and demonstrated His faithfulness to His promises. However, beyond this immediate provision, this event was a powerful foreshadowing of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, who would ultimately be provided for the atonement of sin. In John 1:29 (ESV), John the Baptist proclaims, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"  

Just as He provided a ram as a substitute for Isaac, He provided Jesus Christ as the ultimate Lamb of God, who would take away the sins of the world. This act of divine provision showcased God's masterful plan for our redemption, which unfolded at the appointed time. Through Jesus's ultimate sacrifice, the joy of reconciliation with God became available to all who place their unwavering faith in Him.

 "You were ransomed... with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot." - 1 Peter 1:18-19, ESV. 

"The ram that was stuck among the briars with its horns also seems to represent the Lord, for Christ as it were stuck among thorns with horns when he hung on the beam of the cross, fastened with nails. When Isaac carried the wood for the sacrifice of Christ, he too prefigured Christ our Lord, who carried his own cross to the place of his passion." - Caesarius of Arles, Sermon 84. 

Brothers and sisters, we are not mere spectators in this story. Just like Abraham, we must lay down our lives, ambitions, and desires at the feet of Jesus, acknowledging Him as Lord over every aspect of our existence.

And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. - Luke 9:23, ESV

Just as Isaac carried the wood for his own sacrifice, so did Jesus carry the cross on which He would be crucified, so must we be willing take up our crosses (whatever they be) for the sake of the kingdom. Let us be drawn closer to the One who loved us beyond measure, surrendering our lives to His perfect will. Through this profound surrender, we can embrace the fullness of God's grace and power, experiencing the transformative power of His love in our lives. 

Conclusion:

Our passage this morning concludes with another covenant promise made between God and Abraham: 

And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven and said, "By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice." - Genesis 22:15-18, ESV.

God swears by Himself because He has no one greater by whom he might swear. It was not necessary for God to swear an oath, because God cannot lie, but he does so to drive the point home. The promises made here in the covenant with Abraham were a foreshadowing of the even greater covenant that would be fulfilled through Jesus Christ. It's amazing to think that just as God rewarded Abraham's obedience, He rewards us with the gift of salvation when we are faithful and obedient to Him.

 These promises are guaranteed by God's own nature and authority, and they remain secure and unchanging. Through Jesus Christ, God has fulfilled His promise of a great nation, welcoming people from all over the world as His children. He has also fulfilled the promise of a Savior, offering forgiveness and eternal life to those who put their trust in Jesus. However, we want to experience the promises of God like Abraham did, we must surrender our lives completely to Him. 

 It is through obedience and total surrender that we become partakers of God's covenant and receive His blessings. When we put our faith in Him, we become heirs of the promise and partakers of God's unending blessings. By completely surrendering ourselves to God, we can confidently trust in His faithfulness and look forward to the day when all His promises will be fully realized in the new heavens and earth. Let us, like Abraham, embrace the hope of God's covenant and find our ultimate joy and fulfillment in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Closing Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we come before you with hearts full of gratitude and awe as we reflect on your Word. In these verses, we see a glimpse of your unwavering love, your unshakable faithfulness, and your profound plan of redemption. Just as you fulfilled your promise to Sarah and Abraham in their old age, you have also fulfilled your promise of salvation through the birth of Jesus Christ, our Savior. As we ponder the sacrifice of Abraham, who was willing to offer his beloved son Isaac at your command, we are pointed to an even greater sacrifice; the sacrifice of your only Son, Jesus Christ. Through Abraham's willingness to obey, we glimpse the depths of your love and the unimaginable cost of our redemption. Just as you provided a ram as a substitute for Isaac, you provided Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the world's sins. As we walk in the light of these Scriptures, may our lives reflect your grace and mercy.  We pray for the faith to trust you even when circumstances seem impossible. Strengthen our resolve to obey your voice, knowing that your ways are higher and your purposes are perfect. In Jesus' name, we pray, amen.