The-LORD-Will-Provide

 

The-LORD-Will-Provide

Genesis 22: ¹³ Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son. ¹⁴ And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”

 

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After being stopped by JESUS, Abraham turned around and saw a ram caught in a thicket. After GOD’s curse on the planet, weeds and thorny bushes were allowed to grow along side of fruit. Abraham built an altar to sacrifice his son, whom he loved. Instead of sacrificing his son, GOD provided a ram.

 

My Observations:

• Abraham would have seen the ram as he built the altar, so it must not have been there.
• GOD stopped Abraham from sacrificing Isaac and then, at that moment, provided the ram.
• Abraham had a mountain top experience and named the place, “The-LORD-Will-Provide.”

 

Making an example out of Abraham, GOD waited until the very last second to provide. Abraham needed total dependence on GOD to come through with a solution, otherwise he could have said that he found it.

 

This example is scary, strange and difficult to swallow. BUT GOD meant business. HE needed someone who would place total belief and faith in HIM without any doubts. I believe HE wants you and me to do the same. GOD wants total reliance on HIS abilities to guide and provide. HE knows what we need way before we ask. HE can also say “No” or “Wait.”

 

Isaac was supposed to die, but GOD provided another sacrifice. We were supposed to die because of our sins. BUT GOD provided another sacrifice, namely JESUS. GOD is our provider.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD waited until the very last moment to provide a substitute sacrifice?
• Do things GOD told you have to go the way you think?
• What provision are you trusting GOD for and do you have total belief that HE will provide it?

Example Complete

Example Complete

Genesis 22: Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!”

And he said, “Here I am.”

² Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”

 

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After facing many trials, Abraham had what he wanted. His elation brimmed with relief that GOD’s promise really did come true. Abraham may have thought “This is it!” BUT GOD had something else for Abraham to do. Abraham needed to sacrifice his “only” son.

 

My Observations:

• GOD knew what Abraham would do, so this “test” seemed like an example of readiness for other people.
• GOD mentioned that Isaac was Abraham’s “only” son when Abraham had Ishmael as another son.
• GOD seemed to be using this time as a prophecy to show what needed to be done to save the world.

 

Being ready, willing and able to give up everything GOD gave him, showed an example that Abraham was a complete example. “Yes LORD” seemed to be easy for Abraham, but it probably was not, at first. He grew up facing many difficult situations and came through them only because of GOD.

 

Abraham heard about the stories of Shem from Terah, his father and knew GOD could do anything. He talked with angels and saw GOD destroy an evil city. He probably knew that any attempt to keep Isaac from harm would be futile, especially after trying to bargain to save Sodom.  He did not know that this sacrifice would be what GOD would do for humanity through JESUS.

 

GOD gave another vague direction by not giving Abraham the exact location. GOD had a plan in mind, and did not want Abraham slipping in his own plan, like the plan of Ishmael. Abraham would become a complete example.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD mention “your only son” to Abraham?
• Have you been asked by GOD to give up something you love dearly for HIM?
• Could it be possible that the thing you are holding onto is keeping you from growing in the LORD?