Genesis 22 When God asks for His gift back

Imagine a Birthday scene. You have anticipated a gift. Now you open it. It is just what you wanted. In gratefulness you thank the one who gave it. ..... Then as quickly as you received it, the person takes the gift back. You stand aghast, not believing what you have seen. You become angry and bitter and demand that the person leave your house. Just so, often this is our reaction when God asks us to give back that which he has given us. Today we will examine a most difficult test – When God gives and then asks for the gift back.

I. When He asks for His gift back: The making of a great trial

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

A. Never beyond the need to grow v 1a

(ESV) Genesis 22 1 After these things God tested Abraham

1. Never get beyond the point of needing to surrender to God

2. In spite of previous trials

3. In spite of previous victories

4. In spite of previous sacrifice

B. A severe test for a mature believer v 1b

(ESV) Genesis 22 1 After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” …

1. A severe test - Hebrew - intensive - severely tested – not easy

2. Specific to him

C. A deeply valued offering v 2

(ESV) Genesis 22 2 He said, “Take your son, your only sonIsaac, whom you love,… and offer him …

1. Appropriate to desire to keep the gift

2. One and only – only begotten

3. Given as a direct promise of God

4. Abraham had been faithful and 'deserved him'

5. Given after 30 years of waiting the son of promise

6. Cherished son

7. Had spent much time with him (teenager or young adult)

D. A need for total surrender v 2b

(ESV) Genesis 22 2 … 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.”

1. Offering - to go up (as in smoke) - total consumption - nothing left

2. Would the Lord respond according to His nature

II. When He asks for His gift back: Respond appropriately

A. Responded when God spoke v 1b

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

B. Responded in the face of the unknown v 2c

(ESV) Genesis 22 2 He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer himthere as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”

1. The request to surrender may be unexpected - Can't anticipate

2. Never know it all - No explanations

3. The details may not be revealed – every step demanding faith (wondering with every new mountain)

C. Responded immediately and completely v 3

(ESV) Genesis 22 3 So Abraham rose earlyin 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.

1. Important to respond immediately upon the revealing of God's will - No hesitation or bargaining

D. Responded consistently v 4a, 6

(ESV) Genesis 22 4 On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. … 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.

1. The surrender may be tried over time - Can't just get it done

2. The success in a trial depends upon the decisions made before the final moment - Quick decisions based upon a lifetime of preparation

III. When He asks for His gift back: Reflecting a life of faith

A. Absolute trust in the Lord v 5; Hebrews 11:17-18

(ESV) 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.”

(ESV) Hebrews 11 17 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, 18 of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.”

1. Complete dependence on the faithful and active character of God

B. True worship in the midst of the trial v 5

(ESV) Genesis 22 5 Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will goover there and worshipand come again to you.”

1. God more important than any gift He has given

C. Dependence on God's ability to supply v 7-8

(ESV) 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?” 8 Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together.

1. To provide a sacrifice

2. To provide answers even if asked to do the impossible

D. Thorough obedience to the last v 9-10; Hebrews 11:19

(ESV) 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. 10 Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son.

1. No hesitation

2. Complete trust

(ESV) Hebrews 11 19 He considered that God was ableeven to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.

3. Direct obedience

IV. When He asks for His gift: Expect God's response

A. God becomes real v 11

(ESV) Genesis 22 11 But the angel of the Lord called to him from heavenand said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.”

1. Met in the midst of the trial

2. Still listening

3. Still responding

B. God relieves the pressure and affirms our faith v 12

(ESV) 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.”

1. Intervention offered in the midst of the trial

2. Faith lived out in practice

3. Action demonstrates real belief

4. We need it – not God

C. God provides v 13-14

(ESV) 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. 14 So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; …

1. Solution there all the time – God revealed it

2. A sacrifice required – substitute made

3. Jehovah Jireh – The Lord will provide

D. God multiplies His blessings v 15-18

1. Reward follows faith actions

2. Personal reward

(ESV) Genesis 22 15 And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven 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, 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, 18 and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.”

3. Receive in abundance in area of sacrifice

4. Others impact

E. God equips us for the days ahead v 19

(ESV) Genesis 22 19 So Abraham returned to his young men, and they arose and went together to Beersheba. And Abraham lived at Beersheba.