The Promised Lamb

Genesis 22:1–14 NKJV

1 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.” 3 So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son; and he split the wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. 4 Then on the third day Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place afar off. 5 And Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you.” 6 So Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife, and the two of them went together. 7 But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” Then he said, “Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” 8 And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” So the two of them went together. 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. 10 And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11 But the Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” So he said, “Here I am.” 12 And He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.” 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.”

I. A required sacrifice.

It is common for Jews to leave an empty place setting during Passover. I can imagine a young child asking their parent, why is there an extra but empty place at the table?

The truth is, sin always leaves emptiness. How many of you may be facing emptiness this morning? Maybe your are hurting from the loss and disappointment. Sin always leaves pain in its wake and we are all guilty of sin. And to make atonement for my sin, someone had to die, a sacrifice had to be made.

Genesis 22:1–2 NKJV

1 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.”

Hebrews 9:22 NKJV

22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.

A. A Perfect Lamb Ex 22.5

Exodus 12:5 NKJV

5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats.

B. A Provided Lamb

Genesis 22:7–8 NKJV

7 But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” Then he said, “Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” 8 And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” So the two of them went together.

II. A Fathers Sacrifice

On April 14th, 1912. The famed ship “The Titanic” hit an iceberg and began to take on water. It was almost immediately visible that the ship would sink. While the crowds were scampering about trying to get into the life boats, the crew began to make the unusual demand of requiring the men to step away from their wives and children’s in an attempt to allow them to survive. I’m sure that some felt that the demand was unfair and unjust. Why should one man give up his place on the boat, and how could the captain ask them men to die? In truth, in order to save a life, a life had to be sacrificed. The captains demand was never about taking life, rather about saving it.

God’s plan for Jesus was not that He desired for Jesus to die, instead, He didn’t spare His son, so that you and I may live. God showed fairness because He didn’t spare His own son. Rom 8.32

Romans 8:31–32 NKJV

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

A. Abraham offered His son but God Sacrificed His Son

God did for Abraham, what He would not do for Himself. He provided a substitute.

B. Isaac carried the wood for the Altar, But Jesus carried the cross.

Isaac didn’t understand why he was carrying the wood, but Jesus knew exactly what He was doing.

The entire Old Testament is a repetition of Isaac’s question. Where is the Lamb?

When Abraham took Isaac, the question was, Where is the Lamb?

In Egypt, on the night of the plague the question was, Where is the Lamb?

When the tabernacle was built the question was, Where is the Lamb?

When Samuel delivered the judgment of God in Israel the question was, Where is the Lamb?

When Solomon was anointed king the question was, Where is the Lamb?

When Solomon built the Temple the question was, Where is the Lamb?

And when Hezekiah rebuilt the temple the question was, Where is the Lamb?

WHERE IS THE LAMB

III. God’s provision

Years ago when Maggie was small, she had taken ill and began to complain of neck pain. We took her to see her Physician and the Dr. became very concerned. He recommended that we take her immediately to Atlanta to test for Meningitis. This was during the heart of the pandemic and when we arrived, the hospital was waiting for Maggie and took her back for a spinal test.

The problem was that they would only allow one parent to go with her. Sandra discussed it, and Sandra went with Maggie. I was forced out of the hospital and had to wait in the truck. I sat there for what seemed like hours with Molly in the back seat mad that she couldn’t get out and stretch her legs or play. During that time, I wept and prayed as my heart was gripped with fear. I kept checking my phone, but there was nothing, no missed calls, no text, just a whole lot of nothing.

Finally, the phone rang and as I picked up, my heart sighed relief when Sandra told me everything came back clear and we were headed home. When I was helpless, God had provided.

But the truth remains, that Maggies provision was temporary. One day she will get sick again and die. Now I pray that this moment comes after a long life and well after I am dead and gone. But, the provision of Jesus will never run out, never get old, and will heal for eternity.

Genesis 22:13 NKJV

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.

A. The ram was temporary.

B. Jesus was the final sacrifice.

Closing:

A. Abraham saw A SUBSTITUTE, but it was temporary and insufficient.

B. Today, let me introduce you to THE SUBSTITUTE, and His name is Jesus.