Many of us have read the story of Abraham in the sacrifice of his only son Issac. If you haven’t read it, stop here and go read Genesis 22: 1-14 and then come back to read this story.
What obedience it must have taken to even think of sacrificing Issac since it took an act of God to have him in the first place. The resolve to pack the donkey, and start walking toward the destination of where God would ultimately intervene. While this whole story is gripping, the verse that caught my attention was verse 5. There you see the faith of a man that trusts God will provide.
The Covenant God Made
Focus verse – “5 Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the boy and I will go over there and worship and come again to you.”
The words, “The boy and I will go over there and worship and come again to you” screams confidence in God. I heard a preacher say, “Abraham either believed he was going to kill Issac, and God would raise him from the dead or God would have provided a different sacrifice.” Either way, the ice water that had to be running through Abraham’s veins was impressive indeed. I’m sure Abraham played the scene over and over in his head.
He’s probably thinking about the Covenant God made with him — “But I will establish my covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this time next year.” — And now asking why God would have him kill Isaac.
Obedience Even When It’s Hard
I’m sure he went over that time and time again internally. But he packed the donkey with all the materials needed to do what God had instructed him to do. He didn’t half-heartedly hike towards the mountain, anxious for the moment when God turns things around. Abraham directly went to where God instructed him. Fast forward in the story, and the Angel of the Lord had to call Abraham’s name twice…quickly to get him not to harm Issac. That is the kind of obedience Abraham had. Now think if we applied the same sort of obedience to the Word of God.
Let’s start with 10:
- You shall have no other gods before Me.
- You shall make no idols.
- You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
- Keep the Sabbath day holy.
- Honor your father and your mother.
- You shall not murder.
- You shall not commit adultery.
- You shall not steal.
- You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
- You shall not covet.
The truth is, no one can keep the ten commandments, but think if you and I applied the same kind of obedience Abraham showed. We’d be like Christ.
Author: Tj Todd is the CEO of Studio490 Creative Services and Creative Director of UNCOMMEN.
Amen, thanks for this mesage
Thank you for this, it was a good devo to wake up to.
Just yesterday I was thinking about Abraham’s obedience. I question my obedience all the time. It has been a way I try to hold myself accountable for following God’s Word then applying it to my daily life. Sometimes it goes well, then other days I fail miserably. But the great thing is that by grace, I was given faith! Faith in the one and only God who will receive me even at my worst! There is nobody else that would do this for us except our Father. Through His Son and our King Jesus Christ we can receive His righteousness which came through the children of Abraham. Thank you Lord for reminding me each day who we are in Christ!
I read these each week! This one just spoke to me in a way I cannot describe. I just want to say thank you for all this ministry does. I found out about you on YouVersion. It was a dark time for me then and to see lessons about what I was going through at the time really helped. Thank You!
Praise God! Amen!
Amen, we must rely on him and not our own understanding pv3:5
Beautiful Words!!!…I have to remind myself everyday that He loves us and is with us…the times I fail before Him, the enemy strikes with false belief that I am worthless and undeserving of God’s love…but I know the enemy is a big liar!!! I stand in his face and declare God is my refuge in times of trouble, and I openly confess my sins and cares…and God’s mercy and love fills me!! Our God is amazing!!! Give Him all the thanks and praise He deserves!!!
Hmmm…TJ, I say … yo man, that’s a very short (brief) and yet, deep perspective on the obedience of a father before God. It caught my attention because of my related role as a husband and holding obedience to God in order to care for my wife’s well-being even when it may cost me something I don’t want to readily give up: the potential sacrifice of my own personal and emotional goals for me and our family’s continued improvements in well-being. Hmmm…I am human afterall, and while I’m sure God can reshape my attitude, her response, and care for the overall well-being of our family, it takes my obedience to sacrifice my frustration and disappointment.
Amen! Powerful points
👍🙌
Great stuff TJ. Appreciate your heart and faithfulness!