The LORD Will Provide

KEY VERSE: “Sarah conceived and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.” —Genesis 21:1-7

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: Genesis 21:1-7

WE CAN imagine the joy and elation in Abraham’s house, when that which they hardly dared hope for became a living reality! Isaac was the most beautiful boy they had ever laid eyes on! He was the apple of their eye, the fulfillment of all that God had spoken, and the reward of their faith.

Sarah said, “God hath made me to laugh [be glad], so that all that hear will laugh with me. …Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have given children suck? For I have borne him a son in his old age.”—Gen. 21:6,7

With what tender affection and loving care this cherished son was raised, in the awareness that he would be the recipient of God’s promises; the possessor of a birthright beyond measure.

But as the child grew to a young lad, the day came when a dark shadow fell across the lives of this family. The most severe test of faith that anyone has ever been required to endure was asked of Abraham, Sarah, and Isaac. God said to Abraham, “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.”

These words pierced through the very soul of Isaac’s parents, and yet not one word of protest is uttered in the Bible account. They knew that God had made possible the life of their child, and he had the right to take it away. But the Apostle Paul was inspired to tell us that their faith went even deeper than this. He wrote: By faith Abraham, when he was tried offered up Isaac, and he that had received the promises, offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said That in Isaac shall thy seed be called. Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from whence also he received dim in a figure.”—Heb. 11:17-19

Abraham’s faith was so strong in the promises of God centered in Isaac that, with a firm conviction that God would restore his son’s life again, Abraham raised his knife to offer up in death the dearest treasure of his heart. And at the crucial moment, when his hand was stayed, it was indeed as if he had received his son again from the dead.

The Apostle Paul said that he received him ‘in a figure’. Yes, a picture was being enacted, portending a future dark day to come for another father and another son. A son who, like Isaac, was an only son, greatly beloved, and an heir of promise. Who, like Isaac would have such great trust and faith in his father, that he would willingly consent to die. Jesus said, ‘Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life. … No man taketh it from me but I lay it down of myself.”—John 10:17,18

When the day finally came for this difficult experience to take place, the prophecy of Isaiah well described Jesus as that of a lamb being led to the slaughter. Unlike with Isaac, the angel of the Lord was now instructed not to intervene. The twelve legions of angels, whom Jesus said would offer immediate help should he request it, were called upon to stand aside and watch their charge die on a cross, at the brutal hands of sinful men.

The innermost pain, of a loving father could not go unexpressed, as day grew dark as night, and a mighty earthquake shook the land, and the veil of the temple was rent from top to bottom.

We can well imagine the great rejoicing of Isaac and of Abraham as he lifted his son from the altar and received him to his bosom. No less was the rejoicing in heaven, when he who had proven faithful unto death was restored by the mighty power of his Heavenly Father, and received to a place at his own right hand.

All who are called to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, are also pictured in this experience of Isaac. In association with their Lord they too are laid on the altar of sacrifice; and it is only when the entire sacrifice of this age is complete that they will be united with the Lord as the Christ in resurrection glory, received from the dead, unto God. ‘To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.”—Rev. 3:21

When God swore an oath to Abraham stating, “Because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son” (Gen. 22:16), he was in essence saying to us that the ransom sacrifice of Jesus constituted his oath to us of the sure accomplishment of all his good promises.—vs. 17

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