Possessions, Provision, Prosperity

"And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of." Genesis 22:2. As we discussed last post, Abraham finally had his son and the promise was fulfilled! But, that wasn't the end of his relationship and reliance upon God. Abraham was then tested in the most extreme of ways; he was asked to offer his son Isaac as a burnt offering.

Now this is usually one of the hardest sections to read. As a parent, it's quite unimaginable. But, that means it is urgently important that we understand God's reasoning for testing Abraham in this way. Abraham was very rich in possessions. He had much cattle, and camels, and servants. But his greatest possession was his long-awaited son. Remember, God provided Isaac. He was a miracle child, born to two people old in age and a woman who was once barren. God had to know that Abraham would not forget that all possessions, even our loved ones, come from Him. So, Abraham decided he was willing to give him back. But, he also had faith that God would provide a sacrifice instead of his son.

"And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together." Genesis 22:8. This is what Abraham told Isaac in this very uncomfortable process. Also, before this, he told his servants to wait behind and that he and his son would return. After years of doubt, he finally trusted God in one of the hardest times. He was a man of great faith. But what about the Mom of the story, Sarah? She actually isn't present in this chapter! Where was she? Did she know what was going on? Maybe Abraham was so confident that God would bring them both home safely, so he did not tell her this was a special sacrifice? Either way, so much trust had to be present in this process.

"And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice." Genesis 22:18. And he truly was blessed through this great act of obedience. Continuing on in the next few chapters, after Sarah passes away, God provides Isaac with a wife from Abraham's homeland, just as Abraham desired for his son. Her name was Rebekah.

"And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them." Genesis 24:60. Not only would they continue on in God's original promise to Abraham of birthing many nations, but they would possess the gate of those which hate them-they will prosper!

Do you have a person or possession that you would never be willing to give up? Do you also know that those people and things are best cared for if placed in God's hands? Once Abraham obeyed God, God provided a ram instead, so he did not have to sacrifice Isaac. When we give all, God provides all, and we will prosper. We can't put our faith in things, people, or even ourselves. Everything belongs to God, so have faith & trust Him. Don't love anything or anyone else more than you love God, since He gave you what you have in the first place. Put God first, love Him, and prosper!