Issue 1170 – The God Who Provides – Jun 6, 2023
A familiar account in the Old Testament makes many people uncomfortable. Actually, many stories in the Bible make us squirm. Still, this morning I am thinking about the passage where God calls Abraham to offer his son Issac as a sacrifice (Genesis 22:1-19.)
It is a historical account designed to make us stop and think. It isn’t intended to be a warm, fuzzy piece of imagery. The tale should make us stop and ponder the culture and times Abraham and Isaac lived in, the value of human life, the nature of law and love, the nature and being of God and much more.
It brings a visceral response in us. How could God possibly command such a thing? Why would Abraham listen? Why would Issac cooperate? God lovers and God-haters alike have wrestled with this story.
I will just include an excerpt, but I recommend that you take some time to read and ponder the entire story.
When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.” Genesis 22:9-14
God provides the animal to be sacrificed. Issac was never in danger, although neither he nor his father realized that until it happened.
Human sacrifice was a standard part of many religions in the ancient Mid East world. God shows Himself to be different from all the petty demonic deities of the day by providing the sacrifice Himself. That is something that none of these so-called gods could do, and he showed His superiority over them in every way.
In this event, another Old Testament name of God was revealed – Jehovah-Jireh (although you may see it as YHWH-Yireh and other forms) – the God who provides.
God does indeed provide. He provides everything we need for life; in truth, He gives life itself.
Yet, contextually, a particular provision points us to a later event. What did God provide? He provided the animal for the sacrifice. It is a foreshadowing of the offering of Jesus on our behalf. God not only provides the sacrifice to atone for our sin, but there is also a genuine sense in which He is the sacrifice.
As shocking as the story of Abraham and Issac is, the truth of Jesus’ incarnation and crucifixion should shock us even more. Why would God endure such suffering and pain for rebellious people?
Who would offer His own life for people who hated Him like Jesus did? We might see glimpses of such sacrifices in a soldier who throws himself on a grenade or a firefighter who gives their life in a rescue attempt. Yet to take on the sin of the entire world? That’s incomprehensible suffering.
That is precisely what Jesus did for you and me. He took on the penalty for every sin we have ever been guilty of, both those of commission and those of omission. He paid that price for you and me.
That is shocking when you think of it. When we grasp the magnitude of Jesus’ sacrifice, it should stun us into humble reverence.
God Himself not only provided the sacrifice, but He also became the sacrifice in our stead. He provides us not only with the things of life but paved the way that we might have eternal life as well.
What a provider! What a God! What incredible sacrificial love!
Praise the name of Jehovah-Jireh.
Be Blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)
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All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2023 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin Gleanings From The Word.
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version (ESV).
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