Monday, February 25, 2013

Abraham



Genesis 11-25; Exodus 2:34; Acts 7:2-8; Romans 4; Galatians 3; Hebrews 2, 6, 7, 11

Abraham attempts to sacrifice Isaac

In Genesis 22 Abraham’s faith is tested. God had promised that Isaac would be the father of many nations yet here God commands that Isaac be sacrificed before he had any children. Abraham believed that God would somehow bring Isaac back to life.  The offering of Isaac as a prophecy of the death of Jesus. A father offering his own son, a substitute.  It was on Mt. Moriah, the very same place where, two thousand years later God’s own son was offered. 

Abraham had the faith that his son would return with him. He told his servants, "We" will worship and return. Abraham expected Isaac to be alive to worship. Abraham expected Isaac to be alive to return. How God would do all this he did not know, yet He trusted God to provide.

When we hear this account, we should be reminded of our Savior Jesus. —The Lord Will Provide—supplies a substitute for Isaac. The ram, is caught by its horns, and thus remains unblemished, the perfect sacrifice. Likewise, the Lord offered up His Son Jesus on the cross on Mt. Calvary to be our substitute. He was the perfect sacrifice, unblemished by the taint of sin.  Jesus is the sacrifice for sin. He passed the test of faith, as He was obedient unto death.

Almighty God, You have called Your Church to witness that in Christ You have reconciled us to Yourself. Grant that by Your Holy Spirit we may proclaim the good news of Your salvation so that all who hear it may receive the gift of salvation; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Schnorr von Carolsfeld Woodcut used with permission © WELS
Halley’s Bible Handbook An Abbreviated Bible Commentary Twenty-Third Edition, © 1962 Zondervan Grand Rapids 
Collect for the Mission of the Church, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis 

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