The Lord Will Provide
Theme: Showing the importance of staying close to the Lord
Text: Genesis 22:1-14
Introduction
Most of the time when we read this story we only think about one side and one scenario that is going on. We read of Abraham and Isaac’s preparation and journey to the land of Moriah up the Mountain to the mountain top. But there is another journey going on. While Abraham walked by faith under the command of God, God was preparing a meeting on the top. God was preparing a Ram. This ram had no business being in this area.
“Abraham’s problem and God’s solution were coming up the same mountain, but the problem couldn’t see the solution until it paid the price to reach the top.”
Notice in this journey as it seems throughout Abraham’s life God just told him to go. Go out to the Mt Moriah area and I will tell you where to stop. It is obedience.
It is not our job to question how God will work out circumstances in our life just know that with whatever promise he has given he has already made the provision.
“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 him in a figure.” (Heb 11:17-19 AV)
“Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?” (Jas 2:21 AV)
¶ Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am."
“God tested Abraham”
We should not be surprised at being tested.
1 Peter 1:6 NLT ¶ So be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though it is necessary for you to endure many trials for a while. 7 These trials are only to test your faith, to show that it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold. So if your faith remains strong after being tried by fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
2 Then He said, "Take now 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."
“your only son”
Jesus said, “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.” (Joh 8:56 AV)
How? 1) He knew of a greater promise, a better sacrifice 2) there was a groaning for a savior.
3 ¶ So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son; and he split the wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him.
4 Then on the third day Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place afar off.
5 And Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you."
This is the stopping point. From here on up Abraham and Isaac will be on their on.
You know there had to be a lot of reflection going on by this time. Abraham had not heard a change of orders from God nor had Isaac seen any sacrifice.
Think about what ran through their mind as they traveled to the mountain. Abraham “God wants me to sacrifice my only son. Sure I know that God could raise him up but think about the pain and the suffering”.
Isaac “Where is this sacrifice. Who is this sacrifice? I trust my father but I don’t see.”
6 So Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife, and the two of them went together. 7 But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, "My father!" And he said, "Here I am, my son." Then he said, "Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?"
Here is Isaac being human. He don’t understand.
8 And Abraham said, "My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering." So the two of them went together.
Jehovah-Jireh-the Lord provides. Or God sees to it. He makes sure there is provision.
Ephesians 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
1Co 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
JEHOVAH-ROPHE: (ro-FEH) "The Lord Who Heals" Ex. 15:22-26. From "rophe" ("to heal"); implies spiritual, emotional as well as physical healing. (Jer. 30:17, 3:22; Isa. 61:1) God heals body, soul and spirit; all levels of man’s being.
When I am in a battle I call upon:
JEHOVAH-NISSI: (nis-SEE) "The Lord Our Banner." Ex. 17:15. God on the battlefield, from word which means "to glisten," "to lift up," See Psalm 4:6. He is the one who goes before me
JEHOVAH-SABAOTH: (se-ba-OATH) "The Lord of Hosts" The commander of the angelic host and the armies of God
When I can’t sleep I call upon:
JEHOVAH-SHALOM: "The Lord Our Peace" Judges 6:24. that kind of peace that results from being a whole person in right relationship to God and to one’s fellow man.
When I feel unrighteous I call upon:
JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU (tisd-KAY-nu) "The Lord Our Righteousness" Jer. 23:5, 6, 33:16. From "tsidek" (straight, stiff, balanced - as on scales - full weight, justice, right, righteous, declared innocent.) God our Righteousness.
When I need guidance I call upon:
JEHOVAH-ROHI: (row-EE) "The Lord Our Shepherd" Psa. 23, from "ro’eh" (to pasture).
JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH: (SHAM-mah) "The Lord is There" (Ezek. 48:35).
Most of all I call upon:
JEHOVAH ELOHIM: "LORD God" Gen. 2:4; Judges 5:3; Isa. 17:6; Zeph. 2:9; Psa. 59:5, etc.
9 Then they came to the place of which God had told him. And Abraham built an altar there and placed the wood in order; and he bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, upon the wood.
“Abraham built and altar” altar-a place of sacrifice, a place of remembrance
There are many analogies that compare Isaac to the Lord Jesus Christ
1) He carried his altar up the hill (Isaac the wood, Jesus the Cross)
2) He was the only son of His father
3) He gave no fight to be sacrificed. His full desire was to do his father’s will.
10 And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.
Faith in action. Faith without works is dead. Show me your faith by your works.
11 But the Angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" So he said, "Here I am." 12 And He said, "Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me."
God says “for I know” this about you. You have passed the test.
The Ram-God’s provision
13 Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son.
14 And Abraham called the name of the place, The–LORD–Will–Provide; as it is said to this day, "In the Mount of The LORD it shall be provided."
Psalms 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
