Akedah Nissah

Text: Genesis 22:1-19

Introduction

Today is a special day our in our society where we commemorate those faithful men who upheld the responsibility of serving their families as a “father.” Over the past several decades we have seen a rise in immorality, violence, and tragedy. Numerous studies have been conducted throughout the world and especially in the United States to determine if there exists a common denominator that can explain the horrifying statistics. The analysis of the information collected revealed a simple truth. “Children need their fathers just as much as their mothers.”

Here are some of the findings…

Statistics About Fatherless Homes

#1. 85% of youth who are currently in prison grew up in a fatherless home. (Texas Department of Corrections)

#2. 7 out of every 10 youth that are housed in state-operated correctional facilities, including detention and residential treatment, come from a fatherless home. (U.S. Department of Justice)

#3. 39% of students in the United States, from the first grade to their senior year of high school, do not have a father at home. Children without a father are 4 times more likely to be living in poverty than children with a father. (National Public Radio)

#4. Children from fatherless homes are twice as likely to drop out from school before graduating than children who have a father in their lives. (National Public Radio)

#5. 24.7 million children in the United States live in a home where their biological father is not present. That equates to 1 in every 3 children in the United States not having access to their father. (National Public Radio)

#6. Girls who live in a fatherless home have a 100% higher risk of suffering from obesity than girls who have their father present. Teen girls from fatherless homes are also 4 times more likely to become mothers before the age of 20. (National Public Radio)

#7. 57% of the fatherless homes in the United States involved African American/Black households. Hispanic households have a 31% fatherless rate, while Caucasian/White households have a 20% fatherless rate. (National Public Radio)

#8. In 2011, 44% of children in homes headed by a single mother were living in poverty. Just 12% of children in married-couple families were living in poverty. (U.S. Census Bureau)

#9. Children who live in a single-parent home are more than 2 times more likely to commit suicide than children in a two-parent home. (The Lancet)

#10. 72% of Americans believe that a fatherless home is the most significant social problem and family problem that is facing their country. (National Center for Fathering)

#11. Only 68% of children will spend their entire childhood with an intact family. (U.S. Census Bureau)

#12. 75% of rapists are motivated by displaced anger that is associated with feelings of abandonment that involves their father. (U.S. Department of Justice)

#13. Living in a fatherless home is a contributing factor to substance abuse, with children from such homes accounting for 75% of adolescent patients being treated in substance abuse centers. (U.S. Department of Justice)

#14. 85% of all children which exhibit some type of a behavioral disorder come from a fatherless home. (U.S. Department of Justice)

#15. 90% of the youth in the United States who decide to run away from home, or become homeless for any reason, originally come from a fatherless home. (U.S. Department of Justice)

#16. 63% of youth suicides involve a child who was living in a fatherless home when they made their final decision. (U.S. Department of Justice)

Our very own experience demonstrates to us the importance of a fatherhood. However, if the trends facing our society are to change then it is not simply fathers that are needed but Godly fathers. This morning as we celebrate Father’s Day, we are going to take a one week break from our series through Jeremiah and turn our attention toward Genesis 22 verses one through nineteen where we see a beautiful picture of a father and son relationship. It is one of the most moving stories in Scripture. Our story today contains powerful instruction and two beautiful images.

Read Genesis 22:1-19

Genesis 22:1–19 CSB

1 After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he answered. 2 “Take your son,” he said, “your only son Isaac, whom you love, go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.” 3 So Abraham got up early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took with him two of his young men and his son Isaac. He split wood for a burnt offering and set out to go to the place God had told him about. 4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5 Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go over there to worship; then we’ll come back to you.” 6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and laid it on his son Isaac. In his hand he took the fire and the knife, and the two of them walked on together. 7 Then Isaac spoke to his father Abraham and said, “My father.” And he replied, “Here I am, my son.” Isaac said, “The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” 8 Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” Then the two of them walked on together. 9 When they arrived at the place that God had told him about, Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood. He bound his son Isaac and placed him on the altar on top of the wood. 10 Then Abraham reached out and took the knife to slaughter his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” He replied, “Here I am.” 12 Then he said, “Do not lay a hand on the boy or do anything to him. For now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your only son from me.” 13 Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught in the thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram and offered it as a burnt offering in place of his son. 14 And Abraham named that place The Lord Will Provide, so today it is said, “It will be provided on the Lord’s mountain.” 15 Then the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven 16 and said, “By myself I have sworn,” this is the Lord’s declaration: “Because you have done this thing and have not withheld your only son, 17 I will indeed bless you and make your offspring as numerous as the stars of the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your offspring will possess the city gates of their enemies. 18 And all the nations of the earth will be blessed by your offspring because you have obeyed my command.” 19 Abraham went back to his young men, and they got up and went together to Beer-sheba. And Abraham settled in Beer-sheba.

I. The image of the submission of a father to the Father.

We begin with Abraham who serves as an object lesson for fathers just as Israel serves as a object lesson for nations. Abraham’s submission to God is an amazing thing to behold. Way back in Genesis twelve God calls Abraham to fulfill his purpose. From the call of Abraham onward God is setting the stage for a nation of priests to usher in the Messiah. He promises Abraham a land, an heir, and his divine blessings.

For all of this to be fulfilled Abraham needed a son. Abraham and Sarah tried to rush God’s plan by having an heir produced through Hagar, Sarah’s servant. The son, Ishmael, however, was not God’s intended heir. Great division and turmoil resulted from act of impatience. Eventually Isaac would be born to Abraham by Sarah in their old age. He was known as the son of the promise and was deeply loved by his father Abraham.

As we saw in our text. One day God comes to Abraham and commands him to offer up Isaac, his one and only son, the son of the promise, the one through whom the nations of the earth were to be blessed. Abraham’s response was immediate and full in that he yielded to God’s instruction. On the very next day after receiving the command Abraham set out with Isaac and two servants. This as the biggest test any father could take.

A. It was a test of obedience to God’s command. It was a test on whether Abraham would place God first! It was related to his life, family, and future, but his obedience was complete. A father’s deepest test is to commit himself and his family to God no matter the consequences. Abraham obeyed God in faith because he believed God’s decisions and ways were best for his life and family. Is this what you desire for your life, your wife, your children, and your grandchildren? We must be obedient to God and His Word teaching our families to do the same by our example.

B. It was a test of faith. Abraham accepted God’s will, believing God’s promise.

a. Romans 4:20-21

Romans 4:20–21 CSB

20 He did not waver in unbelief at God’s promise but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 because he was fully convinced that what God had promised, he was also able to do.

A father’s power rests in submitting to God and his principles, obeying him daily, trusting him to fulfill all that he promises to do, and submitting to his leadership. The key to family harmony and direction is for fathers to become responsible for leading their families. A father is responsible to God and to his family to provide for their needs, to protect them from in types of all situations, and to serve as priest for them. Spiritual leadership in the home rests with the father.

How does a father exercise spiritual leadership? He is responsible directly to God for teaching, instructing, warning, and providing the basics for discipline in the family. (Deuteronomy 6:1-7; Proverbs 4:1, 4-7; 6:20). He gives kind leadership to his children (Psalm 103:13) and guards against wounding their spirit by harshness and overcorrection (Colossian 3:21; Hebrews 12:9).

Children desire from their fathers that they would not lose their tempers so quickly, and they wish they would acknowledge when they are wrong. Wise spiritual leadership will take those things into consideration. A father also stimulates the faith of and give encouragement to his children (1 Thessalonians 2:11). He takes time to give them personal attention.

II. The image of the submission of a child to his father.

Every step of the story indicates that Abraham and Isaac had a close relationship. They traveled together to the spot where the sacrifice was to be made. As they walked Abraham must have told Isaac the Word of God. While they were on the way leaving the servants behind Isaac asked Abraham where the sacrificial animal was. Abraham responded with the “Lord will provide.” Isaac does not seem to question and continues. When arriving at the place of the sacrifice the altar is arranged, and Abraham binds his son to which the text does not indicate there was a struggle. It seems Isaac yielded to his fathers will and allowed himself to be bound. Isaac stands as a foreshadow of Christ. Christ was submissive to the will of the Father even submitting to death as a sacrifice.

Isaac was submissive to his father’s will and authority, and in being so, he was beautifully submissive to God, who was responsible for the entire experience.

The amazing truth is that God works through fathers and mothers! Both are tools used by God to develop mature attitudes in the lives of sons and daughters. If a father fails to exercise his responsibility, a family is deprived fo God’s best. Extra pressure is put on the mother and children. Protection is removed from the family like an umbrella that is removed form over our heads during a rain. The father has a sense of guilt in his life—he knows something is missing, and it affects his relationship with his wife and children.

When fathers (and mothers) accept their responsibilities, it gives the children something to be submissive to. It is that submission of Isaac that is so beautifully described. Anything less has the ring of rebellion to it and is displeasing both to parents and to God.

A father is free not to accept the responsibility of spiritual leadership of his family, but he is not free to escape the consequences of doing so.

Conclusion

How can you as a father begin to be the spiritual leader of your home? First, you must acknowledge to God your lack of leadership. Second, ask your wife and your children to forgive you for your lack of leadership. Third, rearrange your priorities so that this new relationship will become a permanent one. Your priorities are in this order: your own personal spiritual growth and development, your wife, and children, and then your work and ministry. Fourth, set a personal spiritual example. Let the family see you reading God’s Word and hear you pray.

Fifth, begin to lead the family in Bible reading, prayer, and sharing. Sixth, give personal time to your children regularly for Scripture study, prayer, teaching, and sharing. Seventh, have a regular time with your wife for prayer and spiritual fellowship. Eighth, develop attitudes that encourage the family, such as love, patience, and faith. May God guide you to the highest mountain of his best for you and your family.