Abraham’s spiritual experience was marked by four crisis decisions involving surrender of something naturally dear to him.
1. In Genesis 12, we see God’s direction: Leave your country and your people.
2. Abraham had to abandon his traditional worship. He was 75 years old.
3. He had to abandon his own plan regarding Ishmael.
4. He was called to sacrifice Isaac, the son of promise. Genesis 22
God promised Abraham a son from which would spring a people without number. Then in Chapter twenty-two we find God testing Abraham. Abraham did not hesitate to take his son, his servants and the wood for the sacrifice. But he had three days in which to ponder God’s plan.
On arrival at the place of sacrifice, Abraham took Isaac and told the servants “We will worship and come again.” But where is the sacrifice? God will provide.
In truth, Isaac was a supernatural offspring, for Abraham was 100 years of age, and Sarah was ninety when she conceived. The name the boy was given, Isaac, means “laughter.” It was a joyous birth, even as the birth of Jesus, the Son of God, was a joyous occasion.
As Abraham and Isaac traveled to worship, Isaac carried the wood for his own sacrifice; even as Christ carried the cross and the sins of the world to his crucifixion.
Imagine, if you will, the journey as Abraham and Isaac travel to the appointed place. It is without question a time of Suffering, Sacrifice, Sorrow, and Self-denial. Note that neither father nor son was forced to go. Isaac, a willing sacrifice, trusted his father, even as Christ trusted his Father and prayed, Not my will, but thine. Into thy hands I commend my spirit.
When Isaac arrived home a servant was sent to obtain a bride for him, even as the Holy Spirit is sent into the world to obtain a bride for Christ after his arrival home.
Isaac stayed home while the bride was sought and found, even as the church is being built today while Christ sits at the right hand of the Father.
Isaac waited patiently until the bride was found. She was located far from his home, even as the Bride of Christ is far from the home of the King of Kings.
Isaac took his bride into his father’s house, even as Jesus will take his Church into his Father’s house.
Isaac loved her. He was comforted by her. He married her. Thus does Christ love his bride, is comforted by her, and will take her to be his eternal spouse!
Adapted from a sermon by Rev. D. W. Lacy, based on Genesis, chapters 12 - 22 and the Gospels. Image: eBibleStories.com
3 comments:
Dad's sermons were always challenging. He spent a lot of time studying and reading God's Word.
Om doesn't like these kinds of parallels (I have no idea why), but I do. Good stuff.
Vee, he engaged in prayerful preparation.
Shark, I look for just such parallels! I guess each one has his own way of processing things. All is well so long as we receive the gift that God offers us.
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