Jehovah-Jireh “the Eternally Self Existent One Who Will Provide” Part 2 Series

Genesis 22:1-19

Purpose: To exalt God as the great provider.

Aim: I want the listener to rejoice in God's glorious provision of salvation.

INTRODUCTION: As I mentioned last week, Genesis Chapter 22 contains four important words that are used for the very first time in the Bible.

Last week we looked at this text with two of these words in mind. The first one is the word TEST in verse one. God will never do anything to tempt us to sin, but He does allow circumstances that will reveal what is in our heart.

Another word that is mentioned in our text for the first time in the Bible answers why God gave Abraham a test. It is the word OBEY in Genesis 22:18 "In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice." (NAU)

Those two words highlighted one important truth:

REVIEW:

I. Offering Isaac Proved Abraham's Faith

Vs.1-2 A. God's instructions "Take...go...offer"

Vs.3 B. Abraham's response "arose early...and went"

Vs.4-8 C. Abraham's faith "we will worship and return...God will provide"

Vs.9-10 D. Abraham's works "took the knife to slay his son"

In Chapter 15 Abraham was declared forgiven in God's eyes: Genesis 15:6 Then he believed in the Lord; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness. (NAU)

In Chapter 22 Abraham proved he was forgiven in man's eyes: James 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? (NAU)

Vs.11-19 E. God rewards Abraham for his faith "do nothing to him... I will greatly bless you"

LESSON: Today I want to center our thoughts around the other two words that are used for the first time in Genesis 22. The first one is the word LOVE in Genesis 22:2 He said, "Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you." (NAU)

The last word in our text that is used for the first time in the Bible is the word WORSHIP. Genesis 22:5 Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey, and I and the lad will go over there; and we will worship and return to you." (NAU)

LESSON:

II. Offering Isaac Pictured God's Love

We have to be careful about reading New Testament truths into Old Testament stories, but the NT tells us that this story is a picture, or a foreshadowing of Christ's death and resurrection. Hebrews 11:19 He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type. (NAU)

Look at Vs.l8. Paul refers to this verse and then says in Galatians 3:16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, "And to seeds," as referring to many, but rather to one, "And to your seed," that is, Christ. (NAU)

It is fascinating that the first mention of the word LOVE in the Bible does not refer to a husband's love for his wife, or of a mother's love for her child, or a love of country, or a person's love for God, or even God's love for man. The first mention of LOVE refers to a father's love for his son. Genesis 22:2 He said, "Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, ... (NAU) Hebrews 11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; (NAU)

►"God only knows the love of God." Charles Spurgeon [1]

John 17:24 "Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. (NAU)

The first time that the word LOVE is used in Matthew is Matthew 3:17 and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased." (NAU)

The first time that the word LOVE is used in Mark is Mark 1:11 and a voice came out of the heavens: "You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased." (NAU)

The first time that the word LOVE is used in Luke is Luke 3:22 and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, "You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased." (NAU)

The first time that the word LOVE is used in John is John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. (NAU)