Abraham - pt 8 The Substitutionary Sacrifice for Isaac God had promised Abraham and Sarah a son. They waited 25 years. His birth was a miracle, an act of God, born to a barren woman beyond child-bearing age. Isaac was the son of promise. His name, Isaac, means "laughter or he laughs" because both Abraham and Sarah laughed at the thought that they would have a child in their twilight years. Now the unthinkable - God will ask Abraham to sacrifice him - to give him back.

Gen 22:1-2 1. God tested Abraham - the greatest test for Abraham. Tougher than waiting, this test put Abraham in an agonizing choice: Was he willing to follow God's command above his love for his only son?

We see the agony that this must have put Abraham in and wonder why God would do this? God will later condemn the practices of child sacrifice of pagans. Why would God ask this of Abraham? Tension and emotions were high.

1. Land of Moriah. In 2 Chron 3:1 a mountain in Moriah in Jerusalem is where the temple will be built by Solomon in 1,000 years. Abraham's sacrifice foreshadowed the sacrifices at the temple. In another 1,000 years, Jesus will worship there.

Gen 22:3-8 3. Abraham's obedience is immediate - he even rose early. 4. A long and difficult for Abraham 3-day journey from Beersheba to Moriah. 5. Abraham asked the 2 servants to stay while he and Isaac went to worship. "and come to you again" Abraham believed that God would somehow return them both. The writer of Hebrews - Abraham believed God was able to raise Isaac from the dead.

Hebrews 11:17-19

1. "Where is the lamb for the burnt offering?" The question is a practical one for Isaac, but we see its significance today.. This question echoes through the generations of humanity. We ask, "what will it take for me not to be ashamed before God?" What will it take for my guilt to be washed clean? "Where is the lamb?" How can I overcome the train wreck of my past and bad decisions? What sacrifice can be made to fix what I have broken? "Where is the lamb?"

Fast forward 2,000 years. John the Baptist sees Jesus, and says, "Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world." (Jn 1:29)

1. "God will provide the lamb for the offering."

Gen 22:9-14 9. It appears Isaac let himself be bound in obedience to his father. 10. Abraham was ready to make the sacrifice. 11. But an angel stopped him. 12. "You have not withheld your son, your only son, from me" Abraham passed the test. He was obedient even to offer his only son.

Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭32‬ He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

1. God provided a ram for the sacrifice - the ram was offered instead of Isaac. This is substitutionary sacrifice. God provided a substitute so Isaac could live.

Jesus took on the punishment that our sins deserved as our substitute. 2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭21‬ For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

1 Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭24‬

1. Abraham called the place, Yahweh Yireh, "The Lord will provide."

Be appalled that your sins brought the death of God's Son. Praise God that did not spare his Son, but gave him up for us. Respond in faith that God has substituted Jesus' life for yours. Live the life you received back as a living sacrifice to God.