City Life Starter

Written by Megan Meier

The Word

“And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together. And Isaac said to his father Abraham, ‘My father!’ And he said, ‘Here I am, my son.’ He said, ‘Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?’ Abraham said, ‘God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.’ So they went both of them together.”

Genesis 22:6-8 (ESV)

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

John 3:16

“He [Abraham] considered that God was able even to raise him [Isaac] from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.”

Hebrews 11:9

Megan’s Musings

Isaac carries the wood, Abraham carries the fire and knife. Isaac carries what will be his final resting place, and Abraham carries the sacrificial weapons he will use on his son. What God commanded Abraham, to sacrifice his son, didn’t make sense, after all, Isaac was the child of the promise (Genesis 17:19). 

Isaac’s question implies suspicion and/or concern. They have all of the equipment, but not the sacrificial lamb. And Isaac kept on going with his father. He was in his twenties or thirties at this time, and would know he was the child of the promise, he trusted his father on earth and his Father in Heaven. It seems God was testing Isaac as well. 

Abraham’s response to Isaac’s question doesn’t directly reveal his intention to his son at this point, but “God will provide.” Abraham knew God would provide and showed extreme trust in God. Maybe after all the doubts and distrust he’s had over his life, he sees that God will keep His Word (Genesis 12:2-3). This is not the same Abraham who sold out his wife in an attempt to save his own hide (Genesis 12:10-20, 20:1-18). Abraham knew God would either provide a substitute or raise his mutilated and burned son from the dead (Hebrews 11:19). 

God will provide is literally “God will see for himself.” (Genesis, Andrew E. Steinmann) In Hebrew it is Jehovah Jirah or Yahweh Yireh. God saw Abraham’s faith and obedience, and (spoiler alert) God did provide.  

Just like Isaac carrying wood meant for him, Jesus carried His own means of execution as well. Abraham, the father, laid the wood on his son, God gave the burden of sin to His Son because He saw how hopeless our situation was. God provided the ultimate Sacrificial Lamb, Jesus, who served as both substitute and resurrection. 

Application

Is there something God has promised You? God sees you and will provide a way. He’s already seen our hopeless situation and provided a Savior. Where else in your life has He already seen and provided? Thank Him for granting a way. 

Prayer

Dear Lord, thank You that You see and provide. Open my eyes to where You have already provided for me. I have faith that You continue to see and provide. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.