Day 7

In Chapter 22, Abraham goes to offer Isaac as a sacrifice to the Lord. I cannot imagine this. I have a son who is turning 1 year old in a few days and there is no way I could lay a hand on him, much less kill him. I cannot imagine not only giving him up, but also sacrificing him myself. I can’t imagine what was going through Abraham’s mind as he traveled to the mountain God was showing him. Verse 4 says, “On the third day…” They traveled at 3 days to the base of the mountain, then a little longer to get to the top. That is a long time to think about sacrificing his son. I wonder if he wanted to turn back at all. That was his only son since he just sent Hagar and Ishmael away. I don’t know how he could even look his son in the eyes.

As it turns out, God stopped Abraham before he sacrificed his son, but Isaac was on the altar with the wood on top of him! I can’t imagine what Isaac was thinking! That had to forever change their relationship! Abraham had far greater faith than I ever will. He was willing to give up his son for God.

That is similar to what God did; He sacrificed His son for us. That is the biggest sacrifice of all.

I find Chapter 23 very heartfelt from Abraham as well. Sarah passed away, but Abraham cannot stand to bury her on his property or anywhere in his sight. It would give him too much grief. He instead asks the people of the city if anyone would be willing to let him bury Sarah on their property so he would not have to see where she lies. I can relate to him in this passage. I love my wife with my whole heart, and I would be overtaken with grief if I lost her. I would not be able to see where she would be buried or even be able to look at pictures without being overtaken with grief. I hope and pray that day never comes.

I think it is neat too how everyone in the city is more than willing to open their land for Abraham. In verse 6, the people call Abraham “…a prince of God…” I hope I can one day reach that point where even others can say without a doubt that I am a prince of God. Right now, I am just a boy.