Genesis 22. The story of Abraham sacrificing Isaac. I've already told you all the questions this brings up in my mind in another blog (More Questions than Answers). Today I will focus on Isaac's willingness to submit to his father Abraham.
Obviously this chapter is a foreshadowing of God sacrificing Jesus for us. What touched me most today about this story (ALL of this story is touching!) is Isaac's willingness to be bound. Read verse 9: "Then they came to the place of which God had told him. And Abraham built an altar there and placed the wood in order; and he bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, upon the wood."
Listen to what Adrian Rogers has to say about this in the Adrian Rogers Legacy Bible, "Isaac had done nothing wrong. He'd done nothing to deserve this kind of a death. And this strong young man could easily have outrun or overpowered frail, aged Abraham. Yet he submitted in perfect trust to the will of his father, allowing himself to be bound and put upon the altar. Likewise, Jesus died not for His own sins but for the sins of the world. And He was submitted completely to God, praying just before He went to the Cross, 'Father . . . not My will, but Yours, be done' (Luke 22:42)."
I believe Isaac not only knew and completely trusted his father Abraham, but I believe Isaac knew and completely trusted the God of Abraham.
Our pastor, Dan Spencer, preached today about the difference between Abraham and Lot. Abraham's faith was always evident--he was always asking for God's guidance, building an altar, loving his God. Lot, although he had a bit of faith, was known as "pitching his tent toward Sodom" (Genesis 13:12). Pastor Dan spoke of the importance of us, as parents, truly loving our God--not being perfect, but truly seeking to live in God's way. Our relationship with God does make a difference in the lives of our children.
It is neat that Pastor Dan would preach about this today because today is the day we celebrated my father-in-law's 80th birthday. Jim Littleton is not a perfect man, but there is no doubting his love for his God. His faith is seen in his following God's ways. It is seen in his love for his wife. It is seen in his love and example for his two sons. It is seen in his concern and care for his two daughter-in-laws. It is seen in the gentleness he shows to and in the time he spends with his grandchildren. It is seen in his love for his local church.
One thing Pastor Dan said today really spoke to me (I'm paraphrasing): Are you pitching your tent toward Sodom (like Lot) or are you pressing in toward God (like Abraham)?
Parents, let's leave a heritage of pressing in toward God.
