Laying Isaac Down

It was a test. One of the greatest tests a man has ever experienced. God gave Abraham a heart-wrenching command in Gen. 22:2: “…Take now 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”. The son whom God had promised to him and through him he was to have a multitude of descendants, was about to die. Abraham does not question God. He simply goes about preparing everything for the sacrifice. When they arrive, Abraham lays his son on the altar and prepares to slay him with a knife. A voice from heaven calls out to Abraham and God stops him. Abraham passes the test. Abraham’s most beloved and cherished person was Isaac. Yet he was able to lay him down in love and obedience to God. God’s amazing grace provided a ram to be offered instead of Isaac.

I wonder if we are willing to lay our Isaac’s down in obedience to God. Of course, God wants us to lay all our sins and evil practices down. But is there some cherished possession or precious relationship that we need to give up? Maybe a time-consuming activity is cutting into our time with God. It may be social media or television viewing or even sports that has become our precious Isaac. Is God calling you to lay your Isaac down?

God set the example for us. He also had an only Son, a Son whom He loved dearly. He was not only willing; He actually did lay His Son down to die for us. The Father sent His Son Jesus to another mountain, Calvary. There was no ram caught in the thicket this time. Christ became the Lamb of God who died on the cross for the sins of the world. Just as Abraham received his son back to him alive, God raised His Son from the dead and He is alive forevermore.

God still tests His children to see how much we love Him. Are you willing to lay your Isaac down?