In the midst of judgement God promised redemption through the Seed of woman, Jesus Christ, who would deliver humanity from the clutches of satan, sin and death!
Until then, God established a way by which man would walk with Him in righteousness. Throughout the years, God looked for people who had faith in Him and walked in obedience to His word. Whenever He found such a person, He considered them as righteous and walked with them; Abel, Seth, Enoch and Noah are examples of such men. (Hebrews 11:4-7)
ABRAHAM
However, God found a man, Abraham who believed in Him and lived in obedience to His word. Through Abraham, God established the way of righteousness (being made right with Him) that comes by faith in Him, not by works.
Romans 4:3 NLT
“For the Scriptures tell us, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.”
Romans 4:20-22 NLT
“[20] Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. [21] He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. [22] And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous.”
God called Abraham to come out from among his people to a place where He would show him. Although Abraham was childless, God promised to make nations out of him and he believed God. In the fullness of time, God gave Abraham a son Isaac, through his wife Sarah.
However, God tested Abraham’s faith by asking him to sacrifice his only beloved son Isaac, as a burnt offering to Him. Abraham immediately obeyed and set off with Isaac to the place that God had instructed Him to go and make the sacrifice. (Genesis 22:1-2)
As they travelled, Isaac noticed that there was no lamb for the sacrifice and queried his father about that. Abraham answered…
Genesis 22:8 NKJV
“…My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.”
What a great statement of faith! Abraham knew that God’s promises to him had been invested in his son Isaac, and he had faith that somehow, God would intervene and spare Isaac or even raise him from the dead. (Hebrews 11:17-19)
When they arrived at the place where he had been instructed to go, Abraham built an altar and prepared to offer Isaac as a sacrifice to God. However, just as he picked up the knife to kill his beloved son, God intervened.
Genesis 22:11-13 NLT
“[11] At that moment the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Yes,” Abraham replied. “Here I am!” [12] “Don’t lay a hand on the boy!” the angel said. “Do not hurt him in any way, for now I know that you truly fear God. You have not withheld from me even your son, your only son.” [13] Then Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in a thicket. So he took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering in place of his son.”
Just as Abraham believed and predicted, God spared Isaac and provided a sacrificial lamb for Himself. In the fullness of time, God provided a sacrifice for humanity because of Abraham’s faith and willingness to give up his own son as an offering to Him. God fulfil His promise by sacrificing His only begotten and beloved Son, Jesus Christ.
For further Reading: Genesis 22; Romans 4; Hebrews 11:1-19
Fulfilling Our Theme For 2024: “Building The Highway And Lifting The Banner”
“And in that day, there shall be a Root of Jesse, who shall stand as a banner to the people; for the Gentiles shall seek Him…. (therefore) Go through, go through the gates! Prepare the way for the people; build up, build up the highway! Take out the stones, lift up a banner for the peoples!” [Isaiah 11:10, Isaiah 62:10]
Women In Tune | QUIVER | Cedars House Christian (International)