This "Isaac Sacrifice" is getting more in depth as my study continues. I am at Genesis 22:5, yet there seems to be so much background to this momentous event, I have to pause and consider other matters before continuing in Genesis 22.
Right now my thought is this: "What promises had God already spoke to Abraham that was in his heart and mind as they (Isaac and Abraham) began their 3 day journey to Moriah?"
So, I am wanting to look at what God, the trusted friend of Abraham, had promised to him. It appears the promises God spoke to Abraham were two - fold: 1) a "material" promise, that being land itself, and 2) a spiritual promise, the beginning of a family that will turn into the "greatest of nations" the world has ever known!
Now, for me...these series of Promises the Lord gives to Abraham are simply...beyond compare! So allow me to begin thinking about the Promises that Abraham was fully aware of as he prepared to sacrifice Isaac.
First, check out Genesis 12: 1-3: " Now while Abram (this was before God changed his name to Abraham) was still living in the land of Haran, the Lord(Note: when using the title of Lord in referring to God, denotes a more personal acquaintance with God, a respect and a title when spoken has a little more feeling with it) spoke to Abram and said: " If you will leave this country, then I will lead you to another place, a place I have chosen for you. In fact, by doing this it will actually benefit...you! In other words, it will be to your advantage to leave this land in Haran and come with Me.
Now, I understand, the requirements to do this are high. It requires you to leave everything behind: your country, your relatives, and even your father's family...all your aunts and uncles, cousins, nephews...everyone!
Yet, if you do this you will begin a journey in your life that you will "not believe"...for by following through with this you become...a new...a great...nation!
The reason is: I am the one creating all of this...for you! I will pour My favor upon you, and you will be blessed for making this bold move, and everyone who even meets you...will be blessed!...just because they had the honor of meeting you!
In fact, here will be your new "Motto for Life": "I, the Lord will bless those who bless you, and I, the Lord will curse those who curse you!"
If you leave this land in Haran...the whole earth will never be the same...again!"
Ok, I don't know about you...but I think that is one GIGANTIC promise....and honestly...what would you do? And then, in Genesis 12:7, this friend of Abraham....His Name is God....appears to Abraham again and declares: " This land you are coming to...it is all yours...both for yourself and for your family's....for future generations...in fact...forever!"
So, Abram, in response to God's generous kindness, built and dedicated an altar to his friend, that being God Himself...out of respect, out of gratefulness, and out of admiration Abraham had...for his Friend."
One more thing: check out the "attitude of the heart" Abraham had in life. Abraham had with him his relative Lot on this journey, and in Genesis 13:8-9, it goes something like this:" Abraham's herds and Lot's herds had grown so large, there had developed a conflict among their own herdsmen as for land and food for these huge numbers of livestock.
So, Abram says to Lot: " Let's not allow any fighting ever to come between us or our herdsmen. We are family...and besides, there is more than enough land "out there". In fact, take a moment and look at all this countryside that is open and available to us both. Now, look around, then decide for yourself which section of land you want, and we can separate these vast herds.
Here is my thought on all this: If you want the land that is all to our left, then I will take the land that is all to our right. If you want to flip and you take all this land on our right, then I will take all the land to our left. Let's make this "work" and not face any division between us."
Abraham....his attitude on life...coming from his heart...has a lot to do with the "Isaac Sacrifice"...I just haven't put it altogether yet.....
Right now my thought is this: "What promises had God already spoke to Abraham that was in his heart and mind as they (Isaac and Abraham) began their 3 day journey to Moriah?"
So, I am wanting to look at what God, the trusted friend of Abraham, had promised to him. It appears the promises God spoke to Abraham were two - fold: 1) a "material" promise, that being land itself, and 2) a spiritual promise, the beginning of a family that will turn into the "greatest of nations" the world has ever known!
Now, for me...these series of Promises the Lord gives to Abraham are simply...beyond compare! So allow me to begin thinking about the Promises that Abraham was fully aware of as he prepared to sacrifice Isaac.
First, check out Genesis 12: 1-3: " Now while Abram (this was before God changed his name to Abraham) was still living in the land of Haran, the Lord(Note: when using the title of Lord in referring to God, denotes a more personal acquaintance with God, a respect and a title when spoken has a little more feeling with it) spoke to Abram and said: " If you will leave this country, then I will lead you to another place, a place I have chosen for you. In fact, by doing this it will actually benefit...you! In other words, it will be to your advantage to leave this land in Haran and come with Me.
Now, I understand, the requirements to do this are high. It requires you to leave everything behind: your country, your relatives, and even your father's family...all your aunts and uncles, cousins, nephews...everyone!
Yet, if you do this you will begin a journey in your life that you will "not believe"...for by following through with this you become...a new...a great...nation!
The reason is: I am the one creating all of this...for you! I will pour My favor upon you, and you will be blessed for making this bold move, and everyone who even meets you...will be blessed!...just because they had the honor of meeting you!
In fact, here will be your new "Motto for Life": "I, the Lord will bless those who bless you, and I, the Lord will curse those who curse you!"
If you leave this land in Haran...the whole earth will never be the same...again!"
Ok, I don't know about you...but I think that is one GIGANTIC promise....and honestly...what would you do? And then, in Genesis 12:7, this friend of Abraham....His Name is God....appears to Abraham again and declares: " This land you are coming to...it is all yours...both for yourself and for your family's....for future generations...in fact...forever!"
So, Abram, in response to God's generous kindness, built and dedicated an altar to his friend, that being God Himself...out of respect, out of gratefulness, and out of admiration Abraham had...for his Friend."
One more thing: check out the "attitude of the heart" Abraham had in life. Abraham had with him his relative Lot on this journey, and in Genesis 13:8-9, it goes something like this:" Abraham's herds and Lot's herds had grown so large, there had developed a conflict among their own herdsmen as for land and food for these huge numbers of livestock.
So, Abram says to Lot: " Let's not allow any fighting ever to come between us or our herdsmen. We are family...and besides, there is more than enough land "out there". In fact, take a moment and look at all this countryside that is open and available to us both. Now, look around, then decide for yourself which section of land you want, and we can separate these vast herds.
Here is my thought on all this: If you want the land that is all to our left, then I will take the land that is all to our right. If you want to flip and you take all this land on our right, then I will take all the land to our left. Let's make this "work" and not face any division between us."
Abraham....his attitude on life...coming from his heart...has a lot to do with the "Isaac Sacrifice"...I just haven't put it altogether yet.....
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