God's Plan For Men

Genesis 22:1-19

            Abraham left his home in Ur with a simple promise from God that he would be successful in life.  Success to a man of his time meant children.  For more than 50 years Abraham and his entourage had wandered the countryside waiting on the Lord to keep His promise.  Isaac was born in Abraham’s 100th year and from the beginning there grew a very special bond between the two of them.  Isaac was Abraham’s hope and Abraham was Isaac’s example.

            The story of the offering shows the son’s complete confidence in his father.  Mt. Moriah was 50 miles away, a journey of three days.  We can only imagine the anguish Abraham felt.  In the land of his birth the gods required the sacrifice of children, but YAHWEH was different.  Now even the Great God was requiring the death of his son.

            When they reached what is now the Temple Mount, the two set about building a rough altar.  Isaac questioned his father about the sacrifice.  Always before they had brought a lamb to offer God – why was there no lamb this time?  Abraham assured his son that God would provide the sacrifice.

            It is obvious to us that God never intended to take Isaac from his father.  The entire proceeding was a test to demonstrate Abraham’s willingness to obey God without limit.  Looking forward through time, and just a few feet from the place Abraham built his altar, God would one day provide the Lamb for us all.

            Much is made of a mother’s love.  As children, they tend our needs and offer us warm memories of safety and comfort.  But what about dad?  Many of us were raised to hide our feelings.  We were taught that manliness requires toughness and an inflexibility toward a show of affection.  Speaking from personal experience, one should never doubt that a father’s love is as true and as deeply felt as a mother’s. 

I.                    God’s Plan For Men

A.    God intended men to head the family

1.      Not as a tyrant or monster but as a loving husband and diligent father

2.      Men must take and women must yield responsibility

B.     Society has excused men of their responsibilities

1.      The result is often a man less household – more and more children are born outside marriage

2.      Our welfare system rewards single parent households

3.      We see the results of this failed philosophy especially in the inner city

C.    Husbands and fathers are to act as spiritual leaders in the home

1.      Failure to lead is dereliction of duty

2.      God commands that the husband and father offer the sacrifice, prepare the Passover, and teach the children

3.      Abraham did not consult Sarah

4.      Every child deserves a Christian home and it is the father’s responsibility to provide it

D.    Men are to take the lead in Kingdom work

Much of what is wrong with our society can be traced to the failure of men to accept their proper place.  Too often, the state is responsible for feeding, clothing, and raising our children.  When they grow out of control, the state is forced to deal harshly with them.  Women need to understand that it is in their best interests to promote the Biblical example of manhood.  They lose nothing (and gain much) by allowing Godly men to take the lead.