God will provide a lamb
Passage: Genesis 22.1_23
Big Idea: Spare nothing from the LORD, who spares not His own Son to provide you with the hope of resurrection.
1. God asks for Father Abraham’s sacrifice
2. The LORD provides a substitute sacrifice
3. God the Father’s done what he’s asked of Father Abraham
Around three weeks ago, there was a top-secret online conversation among the senior national security officials in America about a military operation in Yemen.
They were talking about a military strike that was about to happen.
It should’ve been top-secret but an influential political journalist, Jeffrey Goldberg, was added in the chat by mistake.
It was a good thing that Jeffrey Goldberg didn’t sell the secret to people; it could’ve been a disaster.
What these senior national security officials shared was meant only for those people that they could trust and who has clearance to receive the information.
All the military actions should have been withheld from the general public and shared only with people that they could trust.
That’s how trust work, doesn’t it?
When we trust someone, we share our secrets with them.
We might even give them something precious to keep, because we trust in them.
It also works the other way: if we don’t trust someone, we withhold our secrets from them and we don’t give them anything precious.
Does this work in the way we trust God?
What will trusting God look like?
In today’s passage, we’ll see what it means for Abraham to trust in God.
We’ll see is his trust in God is directly related to whether he holds anything back from God.
That’s what I want us to think about as we look into the passage.
Are we holding anything back from God? If so, what are we holding back from God?
Please open up your Bible with me to Genesis, chapter 22, beginning from verse 1.
We’ll see three things:
1. God asks for Father Abraham’s sacrifice
2. The LORD provides a substitute sacrifice
3. God the Father’s done what he’s asked of Father Abraham
Before we begin, let’s pray, “Father, by your Spirit, please open our hearts today. Clear our minds, free us from distractions, and help us to hear from your word, the living voice of God. For we pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.”
1. God asks for Father Abraham’s sacrifice
Over the past few weeks, we’ve been on a rollercoaster ride through Abraham’s life, from the highs to the lows.
One of the most exciting moments was when God visited Abraham and told him he’d have a son, Sarah would be the mother, even though under normal circumstances, they were both too old to have children!
But then, there were some low times too, like when Abraham lied to King Abimelech, which could have put his entire nation in danger.
But last week, there was brief glimpse of what could be the end of the roller coaster ride.
Isaac was born, and Abraham settled down at Beersheba, where he dug a well and planted a tree.
He could have spent the rest of his days watching Isaac grow up, climbing in the branches, as he rested in the shade the tree he planted.
After all, he was an old man by then, most probably over 110 years old as we begin this chapter.
But guess what? God had a different plan for Abraham.
Look with me at Genesis chapter 22, verse 1, “After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he answered.”
I want you to make a mental note of this phrase: “Here I am.”
Abraham would use the phrase three times, each time marking a big turning point in the story.
Here’s what God tells Abraham to do, verse 2, “ “Take your son,” he said, “your only son Isaac, whom you love, go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.”
God made it clear that this was Abraham’s beloved son, and Abraham loved Isaac very much.
But God wanted Abraham to do something unthinkable—to kill his own son and offer him as a burnt offering.
How could God ask Abraham to do such a horrible thing?
Abraham didn’t know at the time, but this would be a test of his faith and obedience.
So, some of our young people are in exam week this week.
They’re trying their best to cram all the knowledge they’ve learned and practice into their heads, hoping for the best.
And I hope you will remember everything so that you can pass the test.
Why did God put Abraham to the test?
God wanted to see how much Abraham trusted him, and more importantly, how much he feared him.
To fear God is not to find him scary; to fear God is to honour and respect him.
Abraham had had failed to trust God before.
When he was on a low in his faith, he would lie about his wife Sarah to protect himself.
He did that twice! In those two tests, he scored a F in faith.
How would he do this time?
God told him to go to a place where he would tell him about.
What God said was similar to what he said back in Genesis 12:1, “Go from your land, your relatives, and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.”
Back then, Abraham was going on a journey of faith as he stepped out to leave his father’s house.
This time he would step out of his tent and take his son and offer him as a sacrifice, at God’s command.
And to top it all off, God was asking Abraham to do something that seemed to go against what God himself had promised.
God had promised that nations would come through Isaac.
How could God keep his promises if Isaac was dead?
So, how did Abraham respond?
He got up early the next morning, saddled up his donkey, and took two young men with him and Isaac.
He got the wood ready and headed to the place where God had told him about.
After what must have been a heart wrenching a three-day journey, Abraham spotted the place from a distance.
He asked the two young men to stay behind and take care of the donkey while he and Isaac continued their way.
Isaac was probably a young man now in his teenage years.
Abraham put the wood on Isaac’s back while he held the fire and knife.
In Genesis Rabbah, a Jewish midrash, a Jewish commentary on Genesis, it’s said that Isaac carrying the wood on his back was like a condemned man, carrying his own cross.
Isaac and Abraham walked together, probably in silence.
Isaac finally broke the silence by calling out to Abraham, “My father, here I am, my son.”
This was the second time the phrase appeared, and it was a major turning point.
Isaac pointed out that there was wood and fire, but where was the sacrifice? Could it have been that Isaac was just being naïve, simply mentioning that their sacrifice was missing and wanting to remind his father about it?
That’s an impressive purity on Isaac’s part.
Or could it have been that Isaac asked because he knew there was a strong chance he would be the missing sacrifice?
If it was the latter, then it was even more impressive because Isaac continued walking towards the altar, knowing the risk he was taking.
If it was the latter, then He also trusted God and shared his father’s faith.
He would be like the Lord’s servant as described in Isaiah chapter 53 verse 7, written over one thousand years late:
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth. Like a lamb led to the slaughter and like a sheep silent before her shearers, he did not open his mouth.
Abraham then spoke words of faith, “God will provide a lamb.”
He was determined to keep trusting God, even when he didn’t know everything, even when the didn’t know God’s plan.
Calvin said that we pay God the “highest honour when, in affairs of perplexity, we nevertheless entirely acquiesce in his providence”
When they reached the place, Abraham built the altar, arranged the wood, and tied his son on it, putting the wood on him.
Isaac was certain by now that he was the sacrifice, destined to be the burnt offering.
As a teenager, he could have easily overpowered his father, who was over 110 years old and could have easily outrun him.
However, he stayed on and let Abraham tie him up, willingly offering himself as a sacrifice.
Abraham raised his arm, holding a knife, and was about to kill his own son.
Let’s take a moment to imagine what Abraham was going through.
Let’s hit the pause button in your mental movie of what Abraham was about to do.
Why would he do it?
Why did Abraham trust God so much that he was willing to sacrifice his son as an offering to God?
Please open up with me to Hebrews 11:17-19.
“By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac. He received the promises and yet he was offering his one and only son, 18 the one to whom it had been said, Your offspring will be traced through Isaac. 19 He considered God to be able even to raise someone from the dead; therefore, he received him back, figuratively speaking.”
You see, Abraham had seen God perform miracles, even in his own body and Sarah’s, who were both supposedly dead.
But guess what? God brought them a son, Isaac!
If God could do that, Abraham had no doubt that he could bring Isaac back to life too.
This unwavering faith in God’s power to resurrect the dead was the very foundation of Abraham’s hope.
He had seen God bring hope to the hopeless and life to the lifeless.
And that hope was rooted in the belief that there was a life that even death couldn’t snuff out.
Abraham put his trust in the God of Resurrection, the God who gives life to the dead.
He trusted this God so much that he was willing to give up even his own son when God asked him to.
That’s faith!
Jesus demands this complete loyalty from his followers as well.
Look with me at Matthew 10:37-39, “ The one who loves a father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; the one who loves a son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38And whoever doesn’t take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Anyone who finds his life will lose it, and anyone who loses his life because of me will find it.”
This is what God demanded of Abraham too. He wanted Abraham to love God more than his son.
Jesus wanted us to love him more than his sons and daughters, fathers and mothers.
Is God testing your faith right now?
Is He asking you something or someone you’re not ready to let go of?
The measure of our faith isn’t about how much we give to God, but rather about what we keep from Him.
Our faith isn’t seen in how much spare time and resources we give to God, but in how we’re not sparing and willing to give up for His pleasure and glory.
Do you trust Him enough to give Him everything and spare nothing for yourself, even that which is most precious to you?
2. The LORD provides a substitute sacrifice
Just as Abraham was about to plunge the knife into Isaac, God’s angel tells Abraham to stop.
Look with me at verse 11-12, “But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!”
He replied, “Here I am.
Then he said, “Do not lay a hand on the boy or do anything to him. For now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your only son from me.”
God knows that Abraham has not withheld Isaac from him.
He’s passed the test!
Over the past few months, a few of our young people, and some older people, had passed their Driver’s test.
One of these is Zoe.
She was so happy once she’s passed the test and had proven herself to be a good driver.
She’s now qualified to drive Caitlyn around!
What did Abraham’s test show?
It showed that he feared God and trusted God.
But couldn’t God had just given Abraham a good life, a settled and peaceful life, without this severe test?
After all, God had promised these things already to Abraham.
Why does he still need to test Abraham?
God didn’t test Abraham to show that Abraham must be worthy before he receives his blessings.
Abraham didn’t earn his blessings from God, even with such a clear demonstration of faith in his part.
God could’ve just given these blessing to Abraham without the test but he chose to test Abraham because Abraham would be better for it.
It showed Abraham the genuineness of his faith.
It showed that this relationship with God was real.
His faith in God is real and his fear of God is real.
To have his faith proven true was of even greater value than whatever God has already promised him at that time.
But God has even more to give!
Verse 14, “Abraham looked up and saw a rama caught in the thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram and offered it as a burnt offering in place of his son.”
God provided a substitute for Isaac.
God has provided not just a lamb but a full grown ram.
Both the altar and the fire were ready.
Abraham sacrificed this substitute sacrifice to God instead of Isaac.
The Bible hasn’t recorded it, but I’m almost certain that there would be laughter of relief from both Abraham and Isaac, whose name of course means laughter.
Abraham called that place the Lord will Provide for God had provided a substitute lamb in place of Isaac.
God affirmed his blessings to Abraham.
Because Abraham had put his trust in God, shown by not withholding his son, God will bless him and his offspring, so that they are as numerous as the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore.
Abraham’s offspring will eat at their enemies’ gates, that is they will take over enemy territories.
All nations will be blessed by Abraham’s offspring.
This is the last time in Abraham’s account where God makes these promises like these to Abraham.
I’ve got to admit, I’m not a big fan of tests, especially those that test our faith. Sometimes I wish I could just skip them and live a quiet, uneventful life.
But when I think about it, the times when I’ve grown the most in my faith have been when I’ve been going through the toughest tests.
When I’m feeling all drained and nothing seems to be working out, I turn to God in prayer.
And that’s when my trust in him really starts to grow.
I’m so grateful for the times when things just seem to fall into place, but I also thank God for the times when everything seems to go wrong.
Because even those tough times are part of God’s plan.
He wants me to be a stronger, better Christian, and I know that I can only do that if I trust God to take me through these challenges.
Have you had a similar experience? I’d love to hear about it!
I still remember when we first came to our church.
Back then, our Church had barely enough to last us for a few months, maybe even just a few weeks.
And to top it off, we were facing several serious pastoral challenges at the same time.
So, what was my plan? Well, I didn’t have one, except to pray and trust in God’s plan.
And guess what? He came through for us!
We worked hard to be good stewards of our resources, we encouraged generosity among God’s people, and most importantly, we learned to trust God and He provided.
Since then, I see every Sunday we have to meet at church is a gift and a blessing.
We’re here today only because God wanted us to be here for one more Sunday.
What tests are you facing at the moment?
God hasn’t given you your test in vain.
He’s only given you the test of faith because he knows you can become stronger and better through it.
Trust him, even when he doesn’t provide in exactly the way you want.
When you do pass the test, thank him, with joy and laughter.
When you pass the test, look back, and thank God for what he’s provided and be assured that you can continue to trust in him.
3. God the Father’s done what he’s asked of Father Abraham
What God asked Abraham to do was a test, but it was more than a test.
It was a sign that points to what God himself would do.
God the Father would do what he’s asked of Father Abraham.
God himself would offer his only Son!
Mount Moriah, the place where Abraham was about to offer Isaac, would eventually be the site of the temple (2 Chronicles 3:1)
This was where God’s people would offer burnt offerings to God in the temple.
That is, God’s people would offer sacrifices where Abraham himself offered the substitute ram that got caught in the thorns.
Not far from the temple, just outside Jerusalem, on a hill called Golgotha, Jesus, the Son of God, was offered as a sacrifice to God, as a substitute for us.
Jesus was perfect and sinless, and he was the only one who could fully pay the death that you and I deserve.
Just like Isaac, he was a willing sacrifice.
He was beaten, mocked, and scorned, not because he couldn’t run away, but because he was obeying His Father’s will.
And yet, unlike Isaac, there was no substitute for him.
He was the substitute for us.
Jesus died on the cross so that sinners who trust in him can live.
Why should sinners trust in him?
Well, it’s because death couldn’t keep him down; he was raised on the third day!
Jesus’ resurrection from the dead is what gives us hope.
Abraham reasoned that he could trust in God because even if he killed Isaac, God could raise him from the dead.
And we can trust in God too, not because God could potentially raise the dead, but because he did raise Jesus from the dead.
Since Jesus has risen from the dead, we share in this living hope.
It’s great to we read about Abraham’s test and how he passed it.
It’s good learn to what it means trust in God, just as Abraham did.
But the focus of the message is not about Abraham; the focus of the message is about God.
God himself will sacrifice Jesus his own Son for a people like us.
That’s what the passage ultimately points to.
God has done what he has asked Abraham to do; He’s offered his only son.
This is what we read in Romans 8:31-32: “What, then, are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He did not even spare his own Son but gave him up for us all. How will he not also with him grant us everything?”
This is the marvellous and amazing love of God; he didn’t just spare his own Son.
God holds nothing back to save us, not even his Own Son.
And Jesus holds nothing back when it comes to saving us, he gave himself freely to us.
And God the Holy Spirit holds nothing back as he shows us and convicts us of the truth and power of God’s love.
This is our God!
The God who doesn’t spare what’s precious to him, to save a people like us.
So, how can we hold anything back from him? If you know him, you can’t hold back, you won’t hold back.
You’ll give him your all, knowing that even if you can give all you have, including your very life, it won’t be enough for how much God’s already given you.
Were the whole world of nature mine,
That were an offering far too small.
Love so amazing so divine.
Demands my life, my soul my all.
God has not spared his Son, he has not hold back from giving us His One and Only Son.
Let’s not hold back in giving him our life, our all.
What are you holding back from God?
Abraham has learnt to trust in God and didn’t hold back his son.
He passed the test.
God has loved us so much that he didn’t hold back from giving us his Son.
He gave us His Son so that whoever trusts in him will have the hope of resurrection, the hope that takes us through even when everything seem to fail.
Do you have that hope?
Do you pass the test?
Friends, spare nothing from the LORD, who spares not His own Son to provide you with the hope of resurrection.
Here are three questions for us to think about this week:
1. “He did not even spare his own Son but gave him up for us all. How will he not also with him grant us everything?” Romans 8:32. What assurance does this give to Christians?
2. What kind of things are we withholding from God?
3. Since God gives us the hope of resurrection, how will you face the tests that God is giving you right now?
Spare nothing from the LORD, who spares not His own Son to provide you with the hope of resurrection.
Let’s pray, “Father, thank you for your amazing love for a people like us. Thank you that you love us so much that you spare not even your own son. Father, forgive us when we in our doubt hold ourselves back from serving you. By your Spirit, move us, so that we’ll hold nothing back, that we spare nothing of ourselves. Let us give our own lives for your glory, for our hope is in the Risen Lord Jesus, in whose name we pray, Amen.”