And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. Genesis 22:1

This chapter is probably the most difficult chapter in the entire Bible to read and understand. Here God is going to tempt Abraham but requesting him to sacrifice his Son. Now when we read this we obviously become very emotional. We feel the sorrow for Isaac and Abraham, we feel anger that God would request this. Do we feel the same way when we think of Jesus?

Many of us are willing to accept the atoning sacrifice by Christ, but do we ever weep for Jesus? Do we ever feel the anger that our sin put him on that cross? This story is obviously a foreshadow of Christ to come and save the world

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

Now notice, Isaac asks his Father, “Where is the sacrifice”, and Abraham tells him “God will provide the Lamb” , obviously another foreshadow of Christ to come as he is the Lamb of God (John 1:29) But also from Abrahams response we see that he trust God provide a way even though he doesn’t understand it

Why would God test Abraham with this? Obviously it’s a foreshadow of Christ but also he was testing Abrahams heart. Isaac was the only thing Abraham wanted in the world, and it came to a point where he was an idol. God wanted to know was he still first

And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. Genesis 22:11-12

Just then a “Messager of Yahweh” told Abraham not to lay a hand on Isaac, was this Jesus? God provided the sacrifice that day and he ultimately provided the sacrifice for us all in Christ Jesus.

Would God really allow Isaac to be killed? No because without Isaac there would be no Messianic Line, this was just a test by God to see Abrahams faithfulness. Is this story shocking and difficult? Yes but we should view what Christ did for us this shocking as well.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him. Genesis 21:2

The promise of God was fulfilled, it probably wasn’t fulfilled when Abraham and Sarah would have liked, but it was fulfilled in Gods timing. There was many times when Abraham and Sarah had given up on this promise by God, however God would remind them that it will be fulfilled.

We need to understand that God cant lie, and his promises to us are as good as done. They may not happen in the timeframe that we like, but it will happen according to Gods will. Its important we learn to believe in Gods word with true faith and be obedient to his higher calling for our life

Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. Hebrews 11:11

The author of Hebrews states Sarah was delivered a child by God, when nobody seemed like it was humanely possible because of her faith. Remember Jesus said its by faith the size of a mustard seed we can move mountains. (Matthew 17:20)

Let the birth of Isaac be a constant reminder to us all.

1.With God all things are possible.

2. God will fulfill his will in his time
3. Your faith makes Gods miracles possible
4. Trust in The Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding

So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children. Genesis 20:17

Even though Abraham was considered righteous before God because of his faith, he was not a perfect man. Here we see as Abraham was travelling through Negev, Abraham lied to King Abimelech that Sarah was his sister and not his wife. Why? Because Sarah was beautiful (Genesis 12) and Abraham feared he would be killed so the King could take his wife. This was not the first time Abraham has done this

So King Abimelech did take Sarah for a wife , as he thought she was just Abrahams sister. However because he did this, it put a curse on the Kings entire family . (Genesis 20:6)

God revealed to the King in a dream that Abraham was a prophet and he should return Sarah immediately to him or his entire family will die. Why was this so important to God? Remember Sarah at this time was pregnant with Isaac , the promised Son (Genesis 18). God probably wanted to preserve the sacred line of Abraham with no corruption

God healed or restored the curse that was put on King Abimelechs family. Notice how God used Abraham as a mediator to request the Kings curse be lifted. This shows a few things

1. Even though Abraham was held in high regard to God, he was not a perfect man. But by his faith in God he was considered righteous (Genesis 15:6)
2. The family line of Abraham was obviously held in high regard by God, to the point anyone who interfered would be cursed. This was because the Messiah (Christ) would eventually come from the line of Israel
3. Notice God made a revelation in a dream to a wicked man like King Abimelech. Gods sovereignty and will is accomplished no matter who God needs to be used

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10

But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt. Genesis 19:26

One of the iconic scenes from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is when Lots wife looked back to watch the destruction she was turned into a pillar of salt. The question is why was she given this fate? Well if we read earlier in the Chapter , the angels warned them “To Run for their lives and don’t look back or they will be destroyed” (Genesis 19:17)

These were direct commands from God. The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were about to be destroyed for judgement of their wickedness. Everything in those cities will be destroyed. The Bible tells us that the people of Sodom and Gomorrah were extremely wicked before God (Genesis 13:13)

Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. Remember Lot’s wife. Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. Luke 17:28-33

Jesus actually references Lots wife in his teaching. He references the Days of Lot, which is the judgement of Sodom and Gomorrah. Jesus is saying when the final Judgement comes in Christs return. Don’t look back at your former life. Keep your eyes focused on Jesus, your only hope for salvation!

We must remember , a final judgement is still coming for the world. Many will ignore the warnings and go about living their daily lives just like in the days of Noah and the days of Lot. But when Christ returns, its too late. Keep focused on Jesus and never look back! Amen!