Title: Impress God (Genesis 22:15-19)
Content Titanic is rewriting the history of world cinema by achieving unprecedented box office success. What made this film so successful? There are many things, but above all, it is the fact that it moves many people. Watching this movie makes my heart flutter, and some even shed tears. Like a cloud to move people, people from all over the world have come to the theater to see this movie, and they are still looking for it.
What is the secret to the success of believers?
It bears the fruit of success when it impresses God. All the people of faith have in common that they moved God. The main characters of the text, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Daniel, Hannah, Elijah, Esther, etc... All people of indescribable faith are moved by God to be used by God and to enjoy God's blessings and change the world lived
Today, we will look at how Abraham moved God and what kind of grace and blessings he received as a result.
1. God's Instructions to Abraham
"After these things God called Abraham to test him, and said, "Abraham." He said, "Here I am." The LORD said, "Take 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 a mountain as long as I will show you." 22:1-2)"
Isaac was the son Abraham had at the age of 100 through his wife Sarah. But now he tells him to offer his son as a sacrifice. It is a burnt offering that must be offered by cutting the angle. It is God's instruction like a clear force.
Why are you giving these instructions? I am not trying to put Abraham into failure. But only their faith dictates this.
2. Abraham's reaction
What would be your reaction if you were given these instructions? He said that only his only son would give him as much knowledge as the stars through Isaac, but now he tells him to sacrifice his son. There will be those who will protest, saying that even if you give everything else, you cannot give this only son. I have been faithful and devoted to the Lord until now, but is the result saying that I should sacrifice my only son? I don't know if there will be people who will complain and turn away from God.
But how does Abraham, the father of faith, act?
“Abraham got up early in the morning, saddled his donkey, took his two servants, and his son Isaac, and cut the wood for the burnt offering, and left, and went to the place God had instructed him. Then Abraham said to his servant, "Wait here with the donkey, and I will go over there with the child to worship and return to you." So Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and put it on his son Isaac, and he himself took the fire and the sword in his hand. The two went with them (22:3-6).
#.Abraham immediately obeyed. We can see Abraham practicing obedience before he changed his mind.
#. Abraham does not consult with people. Would this be possible if I had consulted with my wife? Abraham, who only heard the voice of God, believed only the word and obeyed it. Had I consulted with my wife, I would have run into difficulties. Even among believers, there are those who say they want to discuss with their husbands and with their wives, but faith is only discussing with God. If you are in line with God's will, you are not discussing with people. There is always a temptation from the devil in discussions with people.
# I say goodbye to my servants and leave. If these servants are taken to the place of the burnt offering, there is no doubt that they will stop Abraham's actions.
Thoroughly Abraham excludes things that are contrary to the Word of God.
3. Isaac's reaction
It has been three days since I left home. The servants were also left on the side of the mountain. Only the father and his only son, Isaac, remain. What does Isaac say at this time?
"Isaac said to his father Abraham, "My father." He said, "Here I am, my son." Isaac said, "The fire and wood are there, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?" Abraham said, "Son, the lamb for the burnt offering was “He will make it himself.” So the two went together and came to the place God had instructed him. So Abraham built an altar there and spread the wood, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the wood on the altar (22:7-8). )"
Isaac had seen his father offering sacrifices to God many times. But today, the sacrifice is not seen. There is fire and wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering? asks.
How did Abraham feel at this time? It was a moment when I felt the pain of being torn apart. It must have been a feeling of wanting to cry coolly, even if I cried while hugging my back. Still, he doesn't show his emotions. The lamb for a burnt offering will be provided by God Himself, and they go together. He builds an altar with stones, puts wood on it, and binds his son. Now Isaac has grown enough to carry a tree. He is much stronger than his 100-year-old father. You can spray any amount. Yet he obeys like a meek sheep.
4. God's response
He bound his son and laid him on the altar. Until then, God was silent. Father Abraham draws a sword. The moment you are about to strike, the voice of God is suddenly heard. “Abraham, Abraham,” he says. Stop the hand hitting it and say, "Here I am."
The angel said to him, "Do not lay your hand on the boy, do nothing to him, for you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me. Now I know that you fear God" (22:12).
It is a scene that greatly moves God. This is the moment when Abraham's faith, saying that even his son is not worth it, is acknowledged. I now know that you fear God. It is a statement that God has clearly approved. After that, there was no test of God on Abraham. Only blessings await.
5. Result of victory
God calls Abraham a second time (verse 15). The first call was to test, but the second call was to bless. It is the truth of the Bible that there must be God's blessing on those who have passed the test.
"I swear by myself, saith the LORD, that you have done this, and have not withheld your only son, your only son," said the LORD. And through your seed all peoples under the heavens will be blessed, because you have obeyed my words.” (22:16-18)
By giving one son to God, he not only gained many descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand of the earth, but also slows down the great blessing of being born through his seed, the Savior Jesus Christ. Through Jesus Christ, all peoples under the heavens have received the grace of blessing.
What is God's direction for me today?
What is God's voice to me?
How are you putting it into practice? Let's move the heart of God. In order for your life path to prosper, close your eyes and practice the things that move God. Don't look at the environment. Abraham did not look at the environment. Let's not look at the situation. Abraham's circumstances were not enough to give him a son. Let's not be conscious of people.
If you only listen to the voice of God and put it into practice, you will hear the voice of God.