Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
One of the most amazing stories in all of the Old Testament is the account of the sacrifice of Isaac by his father Abraham. Genesis 22:1-14 records the drama that unfolded on Mount Moriah, the eventual site of Solomon’s temple in the city of Jerusalem. In response to an unthinkable command from the Lord, Abraham made preparations to offer his own son, the son of the covenant promise, as a burnt offering to the sovereign God who had saved and called him as the father of a new nation. The Lord instructed the patriarch to destroy the very one in whom the promises of Genesis 12 would be fulfilled. Certainly this made no sense at all, and yet at every point Abraham offered unhesitating obedience. Of course, in the end, the God whose very name is ‘Yahweh our Provider’ supplied another sacrifice. A ram strangely caught in a nearby thicket would take the place of Isaac and set the stage for the appearance of another Substitute, the very Lamb of God whose death 2000 years later would take away the sins of the world.
On Sunday we will explore this incredible passage of Holy Scripture in the morning sermon. As you prepare for Lord’s Day worship, you’ll benefit from reading Hebrews 11:17-19 and James 2:21-24 along with Genesis 22:1-14.
And thank you again for your faithful prayers for the proclamation of God’s Word. May our Lord bless you all and I’ll see you Sunday morning!
All my love and prayers,
Mike