GENESIS 22
4 Outlines
Genesis 22:1-14
A FAITHFUL FATHER
(A possible Father's Day message)
Before Isaac was born, God said that Abraham would be
a good father in Genesis 15:18-19. In
one of the most trying moments of Abraham's life, he showed three qualities
that should be imitated by fathers everywhere.
HE FOLLOWED GOD Vss. 1-6
HIS FAITH WAS IN GOD Vss. 7-8
HE FEARED GOD Vss. 9-14
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Genesis 22:1-14
JEHOVAH-JIREH - THE LORD
WILL PROVIDE
A missionary on the foreign
field is stranded in a foreign land in the middle of a war. No checks from the mission can get through. Jehovah-jireh - the
Lord will provide!
A young Christian lady
marries a young Christian man. Soon they have two small girls. Suddenly the man
tragically loses his life. The wife has
no work skills, and there are two small children to feed, clothe, and house.
Jehovah-jireh - the Lord will provide!
Another Christian woman,
living for the Lord, is divorced by her husband. Jehovah-jireh, the Lord will
provide.
An elderly couple is
retired, living on a fixed income. Medical costs escalate. There is little
money. Jehovah-jireh - the Lord will provide.
A Christian worker is
faced with what appears to be insurmountable odds in the work of the ministry.
Jehovah-jireh - the Lord will provide.
It was not unusual for
Bible characters to name places after the experiences that happened in that
place. That is why Abraham named the place where he almost offered Isaac as a
sacrifice "Jehovah-jireh". The word means "the Lord will
provide".
Our God is a God of
provision. When we serve Him, He takes the responsibility for all our needs.
Philippians 4:19
Abraham found this to be
true when he received what was probably the greatest test of all in his walk
with God. We want to look at this test
and see that "the Lord will provide".
God had promised Abraham
a Son. Genesis 12:1-3, 15:3-6, Genesis 17:19, Genesis 18:9-15
Isaac, whose name means
"laughter" was born when Abraham was 100 and Sarah was 99.
Abraham's life after the
birth of Isaac was evidently spent in comparative quiet. He was a rich old man
raising a young son. He had experienced many tests and trials in his life time,
but probably now things seemed to be just fine.
Then, one day, Abraham
faced what was the biggest challenge of his lifetime.
UNBELIEVABLE TEST - Vss.
1-2
God decided to test
Abraham. No saint is immune from tests or trials. Because God loves us, He
tests us. Romans 5:3-5, James 1:2-4, Psalm 66:10
Notice that Abraham
responded to God's call quickly because he knew the voice of God.
God asks Abraham to give
Him his most valued possession, which was his only son.
What is your most valued
possession? Are you willing to part with it if God wants you to? Luke 14:26-27
UNCONDITIONAL OBEDIENCE -
Vs. 3
For Abraham there was no
argument, no stalling, or talking to Sarah.
He took the wood, the
servants, and Isaac. He didn't even take a lamb in case God would "change
His mind".
UNWAVERING TRUST - Vss.
4-8
Vss. 4-5 - Notice that
Abraham says "We'll be back." God had promised Abraham that he would
be blessed. He believed God. Abraham believed that God would resurrect Isaac.
Hebrews 11:17-19
Vss. 7-8 - Notice that
Abraham trusted in the provision of God. God indeed provided a lamb for Abraham
on the mountain, but he also provided Himself a lamb at
God will take care of
our needs today. We can still trust Him. Matthew 6:25-33
UNDENIABLE SUBMISSION -
Vss. 9-12
Vss. 9-10Isaac's
submission was admirable through all of this. Abraham's submission was even
more admirable. He was willing to do what God asked, even if he ended up with a
broken heart.
Vss. 11-12 - God was
watching all the time. Abraham had passed the test of submission. There was no
reason for Abraham to slay his son.
UNLIMITED SUPPLY - Vss.
13-14
What did God provide for
Abraham?
He provided a lamb in
the thicket.
He provided the strength
to go through the most difficult time of his life.
God provided the wisdom
to handle the servants and Isaac.
God provided the
emotional stability to handle such a great load.
God provided Himself
through the whole experience.
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Genesis 22:1-18
A LESSON IN TRUST
We know that Abraham was
a man of faith. The day his faith might
have been tested the most was when God asked Abraham to sacrifice his Son,
Isaac.
ABRAHAM'S AVAILABILITY -
Vss. 1-3
Abraham was available to
do as God asked, even though he certainly didn't like it.
ABRAHAM'S ASSURANCE -
Vss. 4-8
Abraham indeed believed
that God would provide a lamb for the sacrifice.
ABRAHAM'S ACQUIESCENCE -
Vss. 9-10
Abraham actually tried
to do what God told him. He lifted up the knife to take his own son's life.
GOD'S ACTION - Vss.
11-12
God intervened to stop
Abraham.
GOD'S ALTERNATIVE - Vss.
13-14
A ram was available for
sacrifice.
GOD'S APPROVAL - Vss.
15-18
God promises blessing
upon Abraham and his seed.
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Genesis 22:12
WHAT AM I WITHHOLDING?
Genesis 22:12 - And
he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him:
for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son,
thine only son from me.
In Genesis 22 we discover that Abraham was willing to
sacrifice his only son, if God demanded he do so. God stopped him from doing so when Abraham
did not withhold his son from God.
Abraham left nothing back from God. What are we withholding from God, keeping it
for ourselves?
WHAT AM I WITHHOLDING?
MY THOUGHTS? Philippians 4:8
MY TIME? Ephesians 5:15-17
MY TALENTS? 1 Peter 4:10-11
MY TREASURES?
A. Money – 2
Corinthians 9:6-7
B. Family –
Genesis 22:12, Luke 14:26-27
MY TRUST? – Proverbs 3:5-6
MY TESTIMONY? – Matthew 5:14-16
MY THRONE? – Romans 12:1-2
Who’s ruling in your life, you or the Lord Jesus?