The Surrendered Life- Part 8

Introduction- Genesis 22:1-19 & Hebrews 11:17-19

Over the last seven weeks we have considered a variety of example of men and women in the scripture who surrendered themselves to the Lord.

Each of these individuals were willing to let God use their lives whatever it cost them and in the end each made a lasting impact on the world.

Today we will consider one more example of an individual who surrendered himself to the Lord—this example will serve to illustrate not only what it means to be surrendered to the Lord but also how this ties in with being a godly father.

Abraham was a man who had stepped out in faith in order to follow the Lord many years earlier leaving behind his family and all that was familiar to step out into the unknown.

In this passage God puts Abraham to the test as He instructs him to sacrifice his only son.

A Shocking Command (Vs. 1-2)

This passage opens first with an explanation of the nature of the events that are about to transpire.

The scripture plainly states that God did tempt (put to the test) Abraham—this being the purpose of all that God is about to do in Abraham’s life.

The word used here does not involve a temptation to sin but rather a proving designed to reveal the true nature of a thing.

It is important to note that when God puts someone to the test it is not for the purpose of revealing to Himself their true nature for God already knows all things.

The purpose then is obviously to affect some transformation or revelation in the heart and mind of the individual being put to the test.

This test is designed particularly for Abraham in order to cause him to reckon with God’s command when it is in conflict with his love for his son and by doing so to reveal to himself the true nature of his faith in God.

There are times in each of our lives when God may prove us or put us to the test in order to cause us to thoroughly examine ourselves and to see ourselves as we truly are.

It is important to recall what has led up to this moment in Abraham’s life—this is not the first time that Abraham has been put to the test by the Lord.

His first real interaction with God involved God instructing him to leave his home and loved ones and all that was familiar in order to journey to a place that God had not yet even revealed to him.

Then God promised him that he would be the father of many nation and that he would bless his descendants even though he had not children as of yet.

As they grew older, Abraham and his wife grew increasingly concerned that they had no children and devised a plan to produce a child through the means of Sarah’s handmaiden.

This was a serious error in judgment which brought much pain and conflict into their lives.

Ultimately God opened Sarah’s womb at the age of ninety years old with Abraham being one hundred years old at the time.

A son was born to them named Isaac—their only child together—and of course they both loved him with all their hearts and in him were bound up all the promises which God had made to them.

Now God comes to Abraham and calls out to him, addressing him by name.

Abraham replies instantly and then receives a shocking but clear commandment from the Lord.

God instructs Abraham to take his son—his only son Isaac—the one whom he deeply loves—into the land of Moriah, and there to offer him up as a burn offering upon the mountain which God will direct him to.

One can only imagine the thoughts that instantly began to swirl in Abraham’s mind when he heard these words.

He must have wondered how God could ask him to do such a thing—he must have questioned how God should fulfill his promises if Isaac were sacrificed—he may have even wondered what sin he had committed which would lead God to inflict such pain and agony upon him.

An Agonizing Decision (Vs. 3-10)

In spite of all the questions and doubts that must have been arisen at hearing God’s commandment—Abraham’s rises early the following morning and makes preparation to do what God has said.

This is one of the most stunning illustrations of genuine surrender in all the scripture!

Even though he cannot make sense of what God has told him to do and even though his instruction seems to conflict with all that he has promised him—Abraham obeys!

This is a testament to the faith which he had in God and his belief that God’s way was always best.

Abraham doesn’t speak a word to anyone of what God has commanded him to do—he simply rose up and gathered the necessary supplies and set out on the journey to the place where God had directed him.

Isaac by this time was not a small child any longer but was likely around twenty years old.

On the third day of their journey Abraham gazed into the distance and saw the place that God had spoken to him about.

At this point in the journey Abraham instructs the young men who were traveling with him to remain in place while he and Isaac proceed further.

He tells the young men that he and Isaac are going up to worship and that they will then return.

This would seem to indicate that Abraham believed that both he and Isaac would return from the mountain.

We have some insight into what was going on in Abraham’s mind thanks to the book of Hebrews where it is stated:

Hebrews 11:17–19 “By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.”

Apparently Abraham was convinced that even if God were to allow him to sacrifice Isaac, He had the power to raise him up again to life.

This is likely the only way that Abraham could make sense of what God has asked him to do because upon Isaac rested all the promises that God had made to him.

It is almost impossible to imagine the heartbreak that Abraham must have felt as he and Isaac climbed the mountain where the sacrifice was to be made.

Abraham took the wood and laid it upon his son and took the fire in his hand and a knife with which the “sacrifice” would be killed.

As they walked Isaac questioned his father asking— “where is the lamb for a burn offering?”

Isaac noticed that all the elements for a burnt offering were present except for this and must have wondered why they had not brought a lamb.

Abraham replies simply— “God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering”—likely a deflection of sorts so that he would not yet have to tell Isaac the news that he was to be the offering.

When they came to the place, Abraham constructed an altar upon which the sacrifice was to be laid and at some point he must have delivered the awful news to Isaac.

Though we have no scriptural record of their conversation, it is likely that Abraham told his son what God had commanded him to do and how that now he must obey even though neither of them understood why.

It would seem that Isaac put up no resistance as he was bound by his father and placed upon the altar in preparation for the sacrifice.

At this point Abraham drew out the knife and prepared to take the life of his beloved son.

A Sudden Intervention (Vs. 11-14)

Just in the moment that Abraham was prepared to carry out the act of sacrificing his only son, God intervened.

The angel of the Lord called out to Abraham and again Abraham immediately responds.

The angel of the Lord instructs Abraham now to spare the life of his son and then expresses to Abraham the results of his testing.

The angel of the Lord tells Abraham that he has passed the test and that now he has proven that he fears God—holds Him in the highest esteem/reveres Him—through his willingness to sacrifice his only son.

This is of course no news to God for He knows all things and was well aware of Abrahams character and faith.

Again it is important to understand that this trial was not for God’s sake but rather for Abraham’s sake.

This was proof positive that Abraham was wholly surrendered to God and that he valued nothing so much that it would prevent him from obeying Him.

Some may see this testing as cruel or unwarranted and yet for Abraham it only served to strengthen his faith and to reinforce his desire to obey the Lord in spite of his own feelings or reservations.

The account of Abraham’s testing has also been used of God throughout the ages since it was written down to illustrate what true surrender looks like.

This trial of Abraham’s faith served as a reminder to him that the promises of God were not centered in Isaac but rather in God Himself.

It was clear that Abraham revered God above all else and that he considered obeying Him to be his highest priority.

This is the mark of all those who are truly surrendered to God!

Just as the angel of the Lord finished speaking, Abraham’s attention turned to some movement behind him where he found a ram caught in a thicket.

This would now be the replacement for Isaac and a burnt offering could now be made.

This led Abraham to attach a name to the place—Jehovah-jireh—this meant the Lord will be seen and includes the idea of provision.

The idea here is that Abraham recognized this place as a place where God not only provided but where His purposes were manifested.

It was only tin this moment that Abraham began to recognize all that God was doing through this testing in His life.

Pronouncement of Blessing (Vs. 15-19)

At this point in the narrative God not only reaffirms the promises which He has already made to Abraham, He also expands upon them.

Earlier in his life God had promised Abraham that his see should be as the stars and that he would inherit a land.

Now God promises also that his seed will possess the gate of his enemies and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in his seed—a prophetic reference to the coming of the Messiah through the line of Abraham.

It is evident that God is pleased with Abraham obedience and intends to bless him as a result.

Abraham would not see these promises fulfilled during his time upon earth but God would keep every promise which He made to him.

God is always pleased with our obedience and will bless those who will genuinely surrender themselves to Him.

This doesn’t mean that they will be healthy, wealthy, and wise as some may suggest—rather they will have the blessed opportunity to know God to a greater degree and to see His hand at work in their lives.

This would be a critical moment in Abraham’s life and likely in Isaac’s life as well as each of them considered the test that God had put them to and the product of their obedience to Him.

It would be hard to imagine that Abraham and Isaac would not be greatly affected by these event such that after they were finished they would never be the same.

Conclusion

This passage serves as one more reminder of what God desires of you and I—that we would surrender ourselves wholly to Him and that nothing would compete with Him.

For those who are truly surrendered to God there is nothing of greater importance of value than obeying Him.

Abraham deeply loved Isaac and it must have been incredibly agonizing to even think of slaying his only son—and yet he followed God’s command—understanding that nothing and no one should prevent Him from obeying the Lord.

Tragically the majority of believers today are so easily hindered from obeying God.

It should be that case that in each of our lives we would purpose that it be the case that obeying the Lord is our highest priority and we will stop at nothing to do what He has said.

This passage also foreshadows an even greater sacrifice wherein God Himself would offer up His only beloved Son as an offering for sin to atone for the sins of all mankind.

He would not be stopped short and His Son would lay down His life so that you and I could know the forgiveness of sin and could be reconciled to God in Him.

Have you received Him as your Savior—He died for you and rose again so that you through faith in Him you and I could be redeemed.