The Lord Will Provide

Yes, it is Palm Sunday and we reflect upon the triumphal entry of King Jesus. Riding on a donkey into Jerusalem. The Crowd was shouting Hosannah but Jesus would journey this week to the cross.

On that Good Friday, when the lamb of God laid down his life for the world.

But the grave could hold him as Jesus was raised from the dead on that Easter morn.

Well, we will be in Genesis 22, and we will look at one of greatest old testament passages that paint a portrait of our Lord Jesus Christ and his sacrifice on the cross.

But first, let’s pray.

Father, We come now before your throne of grace. And we worship Jesus. The king of kings and Lord of Lords. the alpha and omega. The lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Lord, teach us now. Remind us. Remind us of Christ death on the cross of us. Remind of us his love. Bless us Lord. I pray that you will save the lost. Forgive me of my sins, In Jesus name, Amen.

Introduction: Deitrich Bonhoffer tells the story of Alexander the Great, King of Macedonia (336-323) and conqueror of Asia Minor, Syria, Egypt, Babylonia, and Persia, almost all of the known world. One day Alexander and a small company of soldiers approached a strongly fortified walled city, and Alexander raised his voice and demanded to see the king. When the king arrived, Alexander ordered him to surrender the city and everyone inside. The king laughed, “Why should I surrender to you? You can’t do us any harm!” SO.... Alexander offered to give the king a demonstration. He ordered his men to line up single file and start marching. He marched them straight toward a cliff. The townspeople gathered on the city wall and watched in shocked silence as, one by one, his soldiers marched without hesitation right off the cliff to their deaths! After 10 soldiers died, Alexander ordered the rest of the men to return to his side. The townspeople and the king immediately surrendered to Alexander the Great. They realized that if a few men were actually willing to die at the command of this leader, then nothing could stop his eventual victory.

Truly an astonishing story. It makes no sens. This kind of obedience. This kind of surrender is unheard of.

In our text this morning, we will see one of the the greatest tests ever. God tests Abraham. And even worse than Abraham’s life being taken by God, as did Alexander the Great did to his soldiers, but much worse is God testing Abraham by telling him to Sacrifice his own Son.

Beloved, God will test you. He will call you to do things that yo can’t comprehend.

But he will not call you to do anything outside of his will, and he will provide all you need for the task.

the title of the message - comes from vs 14 - The Lord will Provide.

Well, let’s being to look at our text and see THE TEST OF FAITH FOR ABRAHAM.

The test of faith

Genesis 22:1 “After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.””

After What Things.

God called Abraham. Abraham obeyed. Took his family and possessions. Arrived.

God had promised him he would be the father of the nations, but after waiting for years, He took things into his own hands and had a son with Hagar, his name was Ismael.

But Ismael wasn’t the promised Son.

God would finally give Abraham his sons, isaac, after 25 years of waiting at the age of 100.

Isaac in hebrew means laughter. And the Joy that they must have had.

And I can only imagine, after Isaac was born, Abraham going outside at night and looking at the stars and saying, Isaac is the first star, son, but there will be many more to follow.

So After these things, God tested Abraham.

I do want to emphasize. This is a text. Although some version like the KJV says God tempted Abraham.

but the right understanding is this is a test.

James writes: James 1:2 “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,” James 1:3 “for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”

James 1:13 “Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.”

So God will test you, but he will not tempt you.

Temptation is the pressure to give in to ungodly influences that lead us away from God and into sins.

(sinful desire James 1), (other people (2 Peter 2), Satan, the world.

These are not htings of God.

Testing - Martin Manser defines testing “The means through which the genuiness of faith is proved and Christian character developed.

God does test, and here he come to Abraham to a test.

And Abraham says, Hear am I. In this chapter, when Abraham talks to God, this one word is all he says, HERE AM I.

What an amazing phrase. A statement we should all be willing to say. When God speaks, when God calls, Here I am Lord.

Genesis 22:2 “He said, “Take 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.””

Take your only son, this is repeated three times by God. Imagine if God just said, take one of your sons. Abraham might have went and found Ishamael and took him up the mountain.

But there’s no mistake, God calls the son by name, Isaac. The hebrew word for only here refers to value not number. Meaning Isaac was the son of promise, the only promised seed.

So God tells Abraham to take his son and bring him to Mount Moriah and offer him as a burnt offering.

Now Mount Moriah. is mentioned in 2 Chronicles 3:1. It is the place where the Lord appeared to David on the threshing floor, but also where Solomon built the temple in Jerusalem until it was destroyed by Nebacknezer.

But what’s fascinating Many historians, archaeologists, and religious leaders believe that Mount Moriah might be the same sight as Golgotha.

I don’t know this for certain, but this location that Abraham is to bring Isaac for this test, is significant.

but How old was Isaac. Often you hear he is a young child.

well, it had been years, and in Genesis 21:34 “And Abraham sojourned many days,

The Midrash Rabbah, the jewish oral traidtion states Isaac was get this, 37 YEARS OLD.

BUT Several commentators have GIVE OTHER AGES: 18 to 20 years old (Leupold, 1:625); 25 years old (Josephus, 1.13.2); about 33 years old (Adam Clarke, 1:140); and over 20 years old (Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown, p. 29).

We can’t for certain, but Isaac was likely a young man, able to journey 3 days, carry wood on his back up a mountain.

This is the test of Faith. By the father of the Faith.

To sacrifice his only son, the promised son, the one he longed for and rejoiced over.

To sacrifice his son. Human sacrifice. God doesn’t do this. Other pagan gods may, but not Yahweh.

To Abraham? Why would God do this? Test Him this way.

Have you ever been tested by God?

I remember going on a mission trip to guatemala when I was 16. that was a big deal for me. We didn’t have alot of money, but I was willing, and my church helped send me. I went and then returned and was on fire for the Lord. I remember telling my pastor I was feeling a calling to ministry. I didn’t know what or where or how.

So what did my pastor do? He asked me to preach. Talk about a test from God. For me. That was impossible. I’m not an extravert. I wasn’t a speaker. I’m not gifted that way. I can barely hold a conversation much less speak in front of a crowd and more so preach God’s word.

But I said yes. And I did it. It was not a good sermon. It was short, if that makes for a good sermon.

but for me there have been instances like that in my life and ministry, moving my wife and family.

God would tell me to do something impossible, something incomprehensible to me.

And as my pastor was used by God to test me, I’ve been able to see in the lives of God’s people, the people I pastor, and see them step out in faith, when it seems impossible. But with God nothing is impossible.

Now, why Abraham’s test with his son? Maybe Abraham was tempted to love God’s blessing more than God himself.

What was most important to Abraham? Isaac or God?

Well, he was put to the text.

The trust to obey

Genesis 22:3 “So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him.”

Genesis 22:4 “On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar.”

Genesis 22:5 “Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.””

Genesis 22:6 “And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together.”

Genesis 22:7 “And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?””

Genesis 22:8 “Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together.”

Genesis 22:9 “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.”

The trust to obey. It’s one thing to say you trust God. Anyone can say that. But to put your feet to the fire, will you obey him.

Abraham did. He did not need convincing. He didn’t have to be talked into.

God didn’t have to reason with him, it seems impossibe, BUT.

No, abraham got up early.

saddled his donkey. he cut the wood.

Not his son. This over 100 year old man did. Knowing and in likely pain what the wood would be used for.

He journey 3 days.

We talke about the faith of Abraham, waht abou the faith of Isaac.

He questions his father is vs 7. Where’s the lamb?

Abraham couldn’t say, your the lamb. He said the Lord will provide.

And when they got to the altar.

Abraham, this old man, was onlhy able to tie isaac to the altar because isaac allowed him to tie him up! He’s old and isaac’s not.

Kids like that don’t come out of nowhere. They are raised and taught! God first.

Just think of their faith.

Abraham’s faith. He believed. He trusted God and he beleived God would keep his word.

How? Hebrews 11:17–19 “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.”

Abraham said, if nothing else, God’s gonna raise Isaac from the dead.

He didn’t know everything. But he knew something. The main thing. That God was going to provide.

He had alot of questions. Was it difficutl? yes. but true obedience to God says, even when we don’t have all the details, we say, Here I am Lord.

And even when God’s instructions don’t make sense, Here I am Lord.

i will trust you and obey.

The timely substitute

Genesis 22:10 “Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son.”

Genesis 22:11 “But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.””

Genesis 22:12 “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.””

Genesis 22:13 “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.”

Genesis 22:14 “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.””

So abraham by faith, did as God said, and at the moment with the knife raised, and the last second, the Lord calls our Abraham, Abraham.

Here I am Lord. He says, don’t lay your hand on Isaac, but there’s a ram caught in the thicket.

And vs 12, it says, NOW I KNOW- THIS MEANS - ABRAHAM YOU PASSED THE TEST.

He laid aside his doubts and fears. He put God first ove rhis own son.

Did God know ahead of time what would happen? yes.

but Abraham proved his faith and love to God. And Abraham was able to see himself how strong his faith had become.

But this was surely a timely substitute. The needed sacrifice.

And he called the place , The Lord will provide.

The treasure of blessings

Genesis 22:15 “And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven”

Genesis 22:16 “and said, “By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son,”

Genesis 22:17 “I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies,”

Genesis 22:18 “and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.””

Genesis 22:19 “So Abraham returned to his young men, and they arose and went together to Beersheba. And Abraham lived at Beersheba.”

Genesis 22:20 “Now after these things it was told to Abraham, “Behold, Milcah also has borne children to your brother Nahor:”

Genesis 22:21 “Uz his firstborn, Buz his brother, Kemuel the father of Aram,”

Genesis 22:22 “Chesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidlaph, and Bethuel.””

Genesis 22:23 “(Bethuel fathered Rebekah.) These eight Milcah bore to Nahor, Abraham’s brother.”

Genesis 22:24 “Moreover, his concubine, whose name was Reumah, bore Tebah, Gaham, Tahash, and Maacah.”

Once again, God affirms his promise to Abraham. because you have done this, you will be blessed.

Abraham returned and guess what, we see a geneology begin to take place.

and it even says, bethuel fathered rebekah - this means that rebekah is related to Abraham and Isaac.

And rebekah would be the wife of isaac and mother of jacob and esau.

The treasure of blessings.

Blessings are good. we will be rewarded for our faith.

God had blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens.

But God must come first.

Maybe you’ve seen the picture of the umbrella.

It has levels. It’s God spouse, then children.

God must always be first.

This is the greatest commandment.

Abraham was tested, and he was found faithful.

The true savior

We have looked at Abraham and Isaac. But we would miss the main lesson of this passage, because this is a clear picture of our Lord Jesus Christ.

As Isaac was the promised son, Jesus too was the promised son.

Isaac the son of Abraham to be sacrifice road a donkey. And Jesus entered into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday on a donkey.

Isaac carried the wood to Mount Moriah. Jesus carried the cross to Golgotha.

Isaac journeyed 3 days to his death. Jesus died and was in the grace for three days.

Isaac was placed on the altar for a sacrifice. Jesus was sacrifice and the final and better sacrifice than bulls and goats.

Isaac had a substitute for his death, and Jesus is the substitutationary atonement for our sins.

Consider these verses about Jesus sacrifice for our sins.

Isaiah 53:4–6 “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”

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.”

In closing:

The Lord will provide.

We need a savior and we need a substitute. And the Lord has provided.

But we must place God first in our lives.

What is the isaac in your life? What is it you are not willing to give up? What’s that idol? `

Oh friends, It’s all about Jesus.

As the hymn goes.

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, the emblem of suffering and shame; and I love that old cross where the dearest and best for a world of lost sinners was slain.

Refrain: So I'll cherish the old rugged cross, till my trophies at last I lay down; I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it some day for a crown.

If you don’t have a relationship with Jesus. surrender today.

i’m here to pray with you. The altars are open.

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