Tuesday 30th June
Genesis 22:1-14
The way to read this passage is through what Jesus says to his disciples in Luke 24 - that all the scriptures are about him. Through this lens we see that God is promising Abraham a "true and better Isaac".
He is promising:
A promised Son
A promised Sacrifice
A promised Salvation
A promised Son
Isaac is Abraham's one and only son whom he loves (verse 2).
What verse in the New Testament does this remind you of?
Isaac is the means by which God’s promise to Abraham was going to be fulfilled, and yet Abraham was willing to give him up. God, however, really did give his one and only Son. Isaac is a foreshadowing of Jesus.
How is Jesus promised in this passage?
Isaac was the most precious thing to Abraham, and yet he was willing to give him over to God.
What are the most precious things to you? Are you willing to let God have his way with those things? Are you willing to let them go?
A promised Sacrifice
Abraham never had to go through with the sacrifice of Isaac. God was going to provide a sacrificial lamb.
“God didn’t ask Abraham to go through with the sacrifice. But one dark Friday, God would provide. The beloved Son of the Father would walk willingly up that hill, carrying the wood on his back. And there he would be slain to save and bless the world.” - Glen Scrivener
What imagery in this passage reminds us of Jesus and the cross?
What does this passage tell us about the cross? (hint: a substitute lamb etc.)
A promised Salvation
“Jesus is the true and better Isaac who was not just offered up by his father on the mount but was truly sacrificed for us. And when God said to Abraham, “Now I know you love me because you did not withhold your son, your only son whom you love from me,” now we can look at God taking his son up the mountain and sacrificing him and say, “Now we know that you love us because you did not withhold your son, your only son, whom you love from us.”” - Tim Keller
In what ways does Abraham demonstrate 'saving faith' in this passage? (see Romans 4)
How does Abraham's life challenge us in our faith?
Pray together.
