Genesis 2:11-12 - But the angel of
the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. “Do
not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that
you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only
son.”
God had appeared to Abraham to “test” him. He wanted to know whether Abraham loved his
son more than he did God. So he told him
to take him to a mountain 3 days travel away and sacrifice him there as a burnt
offering. We read about no questions
from Abraham…just a quick effort to pack the things he needed the very next
morning …then start on his way.
We can only wonder what Abraham’s thoughts were as he
traveled those three days. Perhaps the conversation between the father…son and
two servants distracted him from dwelling too much on the task he had been
given. Perhaps he prayed silently for
God to change his mind. Perhaps his
strong faith just knew God would either change his mind…provide another
sacrifice when they got there… or perhaps raise him from the dead after he
sacrificed him.
Perhaps the lesson was also for Isaac. We don’t read about
any fear or struggle as he was bound and laid upon that alter. What faith Isaac
must have had in his father to comply completely with no questions. His only
question was answered with a simple “God will provide.”
What did Abraham and Isaac feel in that moment the angel
revealed that God had changed his mind.
He knew for certain that Abraham “feared” God. He loved God more than
the son God had given him as fulfillment of his promise. He loved God more than the prospects of
having infinite numbers of descendants.
I admit that this is one of the hardest stories in the Bible
to comprehend and process. I also admit that I have failed so many of the tests
God has allowed in my life to prove my love…I have lost count. But I must have
passed enough for God to keep working on my faith. He must have something else for me to
accomplish on this earth…for I am still here. When we fail one test…God trains
us a little more…then tests us again.
One last thought. God
is more interested in the condition of our heart than anything else about us.
As long as we fear him…he will keep chasing us and teaching us how to love him
so completely that we too could be as strong as Abraham and Isaac. It is never too late….there is much truth in
one of my favorite Dr. Seuss stories… “How The Grinch Stole Christmas.” We just need to capture the faith of that
sweet Cindy Lou Who…and not give up on the Grinch’s of the world till all their
hearts have grown 3 sizes. That’s what the great commission is all about.
Father….thank you for the reminder that the disposition of
our heart is more important to you than any outward thing we say or do. Forgive me for allowing the world to build
callouses around the heart that you are trying to make soft and caring. Help me find the child-like faith that you
gave me when I was born and redevelop it …so my heart will grow as many sizes
as it needs too for you to use it to help others. Amen.
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