We had the pleasure of hearing Chad speak yesterday here at Central. Chad does a great job as our “Youth Guy” but we’re also blessed that he also has the gift of preaching. He brought out a couple of points that I had never considered from the story of Abraham and Isaac that I thought I’d share with you. I’m sure you’re all familiar with this story from Gen. 22. It starts out by saying:
22:1 Now it came about after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am."
22:2 And He said, "Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah; and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you."
Now as far as I’m concerned we fast forward to Abraham taking Isaac to the place that he will sacrifice him but I’ve never noticed what “old Abe” says in verse 5:
22:5 And Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey, and I and the lad will go yonder; and we will worship and return to you."
Actually there are 2 things to notice here:
1. The translators who configured the “New American Standard” translation must have been from West Virginia, hence the use of the word “yonder.”
2. Abraham in his best rendition of “General McArthur” tells the “young men” that “we” will return.
In all my 49 years (officially by September 18th / feel free to send gifts and money) I had never noticed his statement of faith. Somehow, Abraham knows God is going to work it out. Well, maybe we shouldn’t say “somehow.” Courtesy of Chad, lets look at Hebrews 11:
1:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac; and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son;
11:18 it was he to whom it was said, "In Isaac your DESCENDANTS SHALL BE CALLED."
11:19 He considered that God is able to raise men even from the dead; from which he also received him back as a type.
Now that is real faith for to my knowledge, up to this point in Genesis, God hadn’t raised anyone from the dead. It seems that in a life lived by faith; Abraham considered that nothing is impossible with God. I could use some of that faith. How about you?
Have a great day family and it’s been a pleasure to blog with you in the daytime for once.
