Abraham's Only Son

In Genesis 22, God calls Abraham to offer his only son, Isaac, as a sacrifice to him on Mount Moriah. From a modern perspective, 3800 years later, this story may sound strange and barbaric. Why would God ask this of Abraham? From Abraham’s ancient near east perspective, however, this request may not have been so strange. This was a common practice among the ancient near east peoples around him who would offer their children in the fire as sacrifices to their gods. In return, their gods would promise them blessing and security. All the gods around Abraham required people to offer up their children as sacrifices to them. But what about Abraham's God?

At the end of this test of faith, Abraham’s hope in Yahweh proved true - unlike the other gods, Yahweh was different. In the last moment, God stops Abraham from slaying his son, and instead of requiring Abraham to sacrifice his beloved son, Yahweh, himself provides a replacement sacrifice- a nearby ram in the thicket. In addition to being a test of faith, God was teaching something incredibly valuable to Abraham about himself: “I am not like these other gods around you.” “Trust in me all the way- even when you don’t understand, and you will learn that I am the God who Provides.”

3800 years later, the relevance of this story is still so powerful. We don’t offer child sacrifices anymore, but we still offer ourselves completely to some sort of god to bring us “salvation”, fulfillment or unending happiness. Wherever you go to find approval, comfort, security, identity, or whatever you spend most of your day thinking about or worrying about - this is your god... Whether it be the gym, your career, eating, drinking, drugs, sex, pleasure, your boyfriend or girlfriend, or even your child - whether it's now or 2000 years ago, everyone serves a “god” that you continually offer sacrifices to with your time, money, sweat, and emotional energy.

But just like the cruel ancient near east gods, these modern gods always demand more from you, and yet are never satisfied. No matter how hard you work, your beauty will eventually fade and you’ll lose the approval of others. No matter how much money you make, it will never produce the ultimate contentment you seek. And no matter how hard you love and serve your child, if you do so out of a motivation to quench the discontentment in your own life, your child may end up resenting you. None of these things really quench our longing, and yet we keep chasing these “gods” like carrots on sticks- always striving and never really reaching what we’re seeking. In the striving, we may taste a glimmer of pleasure for a moment, but which immediately fades into the same old dissatisfied emptiness. Like continually trying to quench your appetite with chocolate, the momentary pleasure is quickly overcome by your aching stomach.

Once again, these gods always demand more from you, and yet they’re never satisfied. They never deliver on what they promise. But Yahweh is different. He is the God who provides. Like Abraham, he calls you to utter devotion to Himself. He beckons you to leave these gods behind, to come to Him for your lasting joy, your comfort, security, identity. And in return? He gives you Himself completely - that is, his very own life, his righteousness, purity and infinite joy. 2000 years after Abraham, Yahweh, provided once again. He, himself, made the once and for all sacrifice to provide the salvation you and I are searching for. And instead of requiring you to sacrifice your own son, he himself, gave his own beloved Son as a sacrifice, so that you could be forgiven, redeemed and finally experience the infinite happiness you’ve been searching for all your life. Yahweh is the God who provides. Who will you serve?