Hebrews 11:17-19

Summary retelling of Hebrews 11:17-19

God also saw Abraham’s faith when God asked Abraham to take Isaac up the mountain and offer a sacrifice.  Abraham knew Isaac was God’s promise and he knew God had promised him heirs.  Abraham trusted that God would provide – even if God had to raise Isaac up from the dead.  Because Abraham was willing to part with even Isaac, it can be said that Abraham did receive Isaac back.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

God asks Abraham to make a sacrifice – his only Son.  This story seems so uncalled for by God.  After all, God loathes human sacrifice – especially child sacrifice.  But this story does not indicate that God desires child sacrifice.  Rather, this story is an indicator that God wants to see how far we are willing to follow Him.  Sometimes God’s ways don’t seem like God’s ways until we actually step out in faith and see what God is doing.

Have you ever experienced this kind of moment?  Have you ever seen God work through something that at first didn’t seem right?  How does this tell us that we have to be careful when we are discerning Gods ways?

Second Thought:

God had promised Abraham an heir.  God had promised that heir would have an inheritance.  Now it would seem that both of those promises are in jeopardy.  Yet, Abraham’s desire is obedience over receiving the promise.  It is more important for Abraham to be obedient and let God work out truth than it is for Abraham to be the judge over whether God is keeping His word.  In the end, we know from this story that God does keep His word through the obedience of Abraham.

Why does obedience seem to come first so often?  Why is obedience to God so often the crux upon which faith rests – and the point that we so often mess up?

Third Thought:

The last point about Abraham receiving Isaac back is a very subtle one.  Technically, Abraham gave Isaac over to God.  He had to – that was the point of the test.  Abraham proved to God that he was willing to not only give up his past and his homeland, but also his future.  It was all given into God’s hands.  When it was given, God then gave it back to Abraham.  It’s like that saying, “If you love something, let it go.  If it comes back to you, then it was truly yours and you have it forever.”

Have you truly relinquished control on everything in your life?  Have you told God that He can take everything from you and watched what He returned to you?  Why is this important in the life of a Christian?

Passage for Tomorrow: Hebrews 11:20-22