Abraham’s Obedience

Read Genesis 22:1-19

What about this account so vividly captures the imagination? Is it because we know, up front, that God is testing Abraham and we wait with bated breath as we approach the climax, wondering what he will do? Is it sorrow for a son inquiring of his dad about a lamb, not knowing that he is the intended sacrifice? Or is it sympathy for a loving father who resolutely plods on to obey his master’s will completely even though his heart is breaking?  

Hebrews 11:19 gives us some insight into Abraham’s thinking. It says, “Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.” Hebrews 11: 11-12 tells how Isaac was born to a mother who in reality was too old to have children and how from Abraham issued a multitude of descendants.   

We know this account of Isaac’s almost-sacrifice foreshadows Jesus’ death even though imperfectly. In the divine account, we see a loving Father and a beloved Son who bows to His Father’s will. In addition, this time the Son actually dies, and He is in reality raised to life.  

The incarnation is about obedience. Just as Isaac obeyed Abraham and accompanied him on a journey to execute his will, so Jesus obeyed His father and embarked on a journey that led to a manger in a stable in Bethlehem. The Almighty, the Lord of the Universe stoops down to our level. This is the magnificent, joyous story of Christ’s birth.  

The incarnation is about gut-wrenching costly love. Just as Abraham resolved not to keep anything from his Lord, even the son he had waited decades for, so Jesus perfectly and resolutely did not grasp on to His divinity but emptied Himself and became a human (Philippians 2:6 & 7).  Abraham prophetically says in Genesis 22:8, “God
himself will provide  the lamb  for the burnt offering.” Our God Himself is the One who provides (Genesis 22:14) the perfect Sacrifice. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15) 

For Family Discussion: Why do you think Abraham obeyed God? 

For Personal Reflection: Think of other stories of self-sacrifice like Esther’s and Ruth’s. How do these relate to what Jesus did when He consented to be born as a baby? Meditate on Jesus’ incarnation through the lens of obedience. What new insights unfold? What does it mean to you?  

by Katherine Riebe