Genesis Chapter 22: Verses 3-8 (NIV UK Translation)
Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. He said to his servants, ‘Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.’
Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, ‘Father?’
‘Yes, my son?’ Abraham replied.
‘The fire and wood are here,’ Isaac said, ‘but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?’
Abraham answered, ‘God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.’ And the two of them went on together.
We know the end of this story; Abraham knows what God has promised him – his family line through his son Isaac. But Abraham also knows what God has asked him to do, to sacrifice Isaac. So, when Abraham tells his servants, “We will worship and come back to you,” was he affirming his faith that he believed God could raise up Isaac? Or was he saying it for Isaac’s benefit? I have never really considered what Isaac was thinking until today. As they travelled towards the appointed place, Isaac asks where the lamb for the sacrifice is. Abraham responds. Isaac, I’m sure, will have heard the story of God’s promise and the miracle of his birth. But is he beginning to wonder what’s about to happen? And when he is bound, we read no sign of a struggle, even although Abraham is an old man and Isaac could easily have overpowered him. Isaac submitted with great courage. Was he also holding on to the words he’d heard his father say to the servants, “we will come back to you.”
We may have to face different circumstances with courage and faith. But God will also provide us with encouragement to get us through. It may be through the bible, it may be through the encouragement and support of someone else, it may even be a whisper in our heart from God Himself, but we need to trust that even when the circumstances look dire, or hopeless, God knows what He is doing and He will give us what we need to bring us through.
Dear Lord,
Thank You for teaching us that we can trust You to bring us through the difficult circumstances that we may find ourselves in. Help me to trust that You will give me the courage and strength to face whatever lies ahead. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.