God Kept His Promise
Wednesday, April 3
Genesis 22:6,13 (NKJV)
“And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together. And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.”
Devotion
Even back in the time of Abraham, God was foreshadowing the crucifixion and resurrection of His son. Abraham took the wood to use for the offering and laid it on Isaac’s back and Isaac carried it up to the top of the hill, where he was meant to be sacrificed. This act is similar to how Jesus carried the cross to his appointed offering.
God provided a ram for Abraham to substitute the offering of his son. They were able to walk down from the mountain together with God’s promise intact, that Isaac would live to receive an inheritance from Abraham and to have children (Genesis 15:4-5). In a similar manner, the blood and body of Jesus was provided to pay for the sins of the entire world (1 John 2:2).
Galatians 3:16 tells us that God’s promise to Abraham’s seed (offspring) was a promise to Jesus. How could this promise be fulfilled if Jesus died? Because God raised him from the dead!
The human foreshadowing also gives us a glimpse of the pain of separation as Jesus cried, “Father, why have you forsaken me,” the pain as Mary watched her son die, the pain as the disciples watched the Messiah die, and the sheer elation when they were able to cry, “He’s Alive!” after the resurrection. Because Jesus lives, we too can be raised with him to victorious life on earth and to eternal life.
How wonderful the correlation from the book of Genesis. In fact, Galatians 3:29 tells us that if we belong to Christ, then we are counted as children of Abraham and heirs of God’s promise of salvation. Because God kept His word, we are now able to walk in faith, knowing that we have the promise of eternal life with God and Jesus in heaven.
Today’s Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You that Isaac carried the wood up the mountain on his back. Thank You that You provided a ram as a sacrifice in place of Isaac. Thank You that Jesus carried his cross on his broken and bloody body through the streets of Jerusalem to the hill of the skull. Thank You that You provided Jesus as a sacrifice in my place. Lord God, just as Isaac carried the wood, show me how to better deny myself, take up my cross each day, and follow Jesus. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Apply It Today
In the moment, Abraham did not know how God would work all things together for his promises to be fulfilled; but he believed God and obeyed Him. Abraham’s obedience opened the door for God’s power to be displayed. Let us remember this when we are tempted to change what God said and disobey by doing things another way. We are blessed to see the hope of ages fulfilled – how much more should we leverage this testimony to encourage ourselves and others to trust and obey Jesus.
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