....He also believed that God would resurrect Isaac after he died in the sacrifice. So, by faith, Abraham hoped against hope, and determined to do all that God had commanded him to do, without hesitation. He was sure of what he hoped for and did not waver in his faith in God. He believed God would completely fulfill his promises of making him a great nation.
God told him where to go to sacrifice Isaac. To a hill in Jerusalem, on a mountain in the land of Moriah. Many interpret this as the same mountain Solomon's temple was built upon (can't recall the verse where God tells David to go to Mt. Moriah to sacrifice). Abraham gathers all that he will need and sets out in the morning with Isaac and servants. Isaac caries the wood and Abraham carries the fire and the knife. Isaac goes willingly, perhaps like he has done many times before with his father, though he notices that there is not animal for the sacrifice and inquires about it. Abraham replies,, "God will provide Himself the lamb for the burnt offering." Abraham probably did not know he was prophesying about Jesus at this time, but Jesus did say to His Jews that Abraham saw this day and rejoiced. ( Jn 8:56). So, maybe he did see Jesus' sacrifice at this time or a little later. He built an altar, arranged the wood Isaac had carried, bound and laid him on the wood on the altar. (Was Golgatha the altar that Jesus was laid upon? Was it the same hill as in this event?) Without hesitation Abraham raised the knife with every intent to slay Isaac, and then God broke through,coming down from heaven, and stayed Abraham's hand, telling him not to lay a hand on Isaac. Saying, "Now I know that you fear God, since you did not withhold your one and only son, from Me." I tend to think that Abraham had just began the downswing of his arm holding the knife when God stopped him.
Then Abraham saw a ram caught in a thorny thicket.
As many have spoken of in their posts, there is so many instances of foreshadowing in this event.
Thank you for re-living that wonderful portion of Scripture for us. Re: John 8:56, I would include John 8:56-58. In just three verses, Jesus speaks about life after death; that Abraham though now long dead in the flesh, was alive in spirit to be witness to Jesus' coming to Earth. As well, Jesus speaks about His pre-human existence: "Before Abraham was (even existed), I am". Is it any wonder that the Jews took up stones to destroy Him? Wonderful Truths that many, even today, will reject or twist to their belief.
And that "downswing of his arm" was probably the point when full trust & commital gave way to any speck of doubt or fear. And that was a micro-second in duration, reminding us that the Lord's timing can never be wrong.
Once again you have helped me by providing the Scripture in John where Jesus mentions that Abraham saw this day and rejoiced. I was going to search for it this morning, and here you gave it to me. I rad the whole chapter of John 8. Blessings to you.
God told him where to go to sacrifice Isaac. To a hill in Jerusalem, on a mountain in the land of Moriah. Many interpret this as the same mountain Solomon's temple was built upon (can't recall the verse where God tells David to go to Mt. Moriah to sacrifice). Abraham gathers all that he will need and sets out in the morning with Isaac and servants. Isaac caries the wood and Abraham carries the fire and the knife. Isaac goes willingly, perhaps like he has done many times before with his father, though he notices that there is not animal for the sacrifice and inquires about it. Abraham replies,, "God will provide Himself the lamb for the burnt offering." Abraham probably did not know he was prophesying about Jesus at this time, but Jesus did say to His Jews that Abraham saw this day and rejoiced. ( Jn 8:56). So, maybe he did see Jesus' sacrifice at this time or a little later. He built an altar, arranged the wood Isaac had carried, bound and laid him on the wood on the altar. (Was Golgatha the altar that Jesus was laid upon? Was it the same hill as in this event?) Without hesitation Abraham raised the knife with every intent to slay Isaac, and then God broke through,coming down from heaven, and stayed Abraham's hand, telling him not to lay a hand on Isaac. Saying, "Now I know that you fear God, since you did not withhold your one and only son, from Me." I tend to think that Abraham had just began the downswing of his arm holding the knife when God stopped him.
Then Abraham saw a ram caught in a thorny thicket.
As many have spoken of in their posts, there is so many instances of foreshadowing in this event.
And that "downswing of his arm" was probably the point when full trust & commital gave way to any speck of doubt or fear. And that was a micro-second in duration, reminding us that the Lord's timing can never be wrong.
Once again you have helped me by providing the Scripture in John where Jesus mentions that Abraham saw this day and rejoiced. I was going to search for it this morning, and here you gave it to me. I rad the whole chapter of John 8. Blessings to you.
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