Then A'bra-ham looked behind him and saw a young ram caught by its horns in a thicket. He quickly released I'saac, seized the ram, and offered it upon the altar prepared for the sacrifice of his own son.
The LORD then renewed the Covenant which He had previously made with A'bra-ham, and which had been repeated a number of times in the course of his life. The Covenant was now strengthened by God's solemn promise, and it was declared that all people should be saved through the descendants of A'bra-ham. In the willingness of A'bra-ham to sacrifice I'saac we are reminded of a love that was even greater. God spared the son of A'bra-ham, but freely gave His own Son to die for man's salvation. The rescue of I'saac was a prophecy of the resurrection of the Sav'ior, and of His return to glory. All of these truths may not have been grasped by A'bra-ham, but centuries later the LORD said: "A'bra-ham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it, and was glad."
A'bra-ham and I'saac then went down the mountain together, returning to the young servants just as A'bra-ham had declared that they would.
I'saac continued to be a faithful son. Gentle and gracious by nature, he remained obedient to the laws and duties of his father's religion. When he was fully grown in body, mind, and spirit he became the honored and worthy successor of his father. Of his career we shall learn in future chapters.
Thursday, March 31, 2016
Story 15: A'bra-ham Ordered To Sacrifice I'saac lll
A'bra-ham said to his young servants, "Remain here at the foot of this mountain while I'saac and I go up to the top for worship, and presently we will return." In these words he may have spoken more than he understood, yet he fully believed that God would provide a way by which I'saac would return with him, and still the offering could be made.
The wood for the fire which was to consume the offering was placed upon I'saac , while A'bra-ham carried a knife and some glowing sticks from the fire which they had kindled at the foot of the hill.
As the two walked up the mountainside I'saac turned to his father and said, "Behold the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" In reply to this heart-rending question of his son, A'bra-ham uttered one of the most comforting statements to be found in the Bible. He said: "God will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering." Once again faith had moved him to speak more than he understood, making a prophecy that was soon to come true in a marvelous way, and which foretold the sacrifice of the LORD Je'sus for the world's sin.
When A'bra-ham and I'saac reached the top of the mountain where the sacrifice was to be made, they proceeded at once to build an altar. A'bra-ham then tied the hands and feet of I'saac and placed him on the wood which had been laid upon the altar. He took a knife in his hand, raised up his arm to strike the fatal blow into the heart of his son, and was in the very act of offering him as a burnt sacrifice unto God.
Suddenly an Angel spoke to him out of the Heavens, saying: "A'bra-ham, A'bra-ham; do not lay thy hands upon the lad, and do not harm him in any way: for now I know that thou truly fear God, because thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from the LORD."
What joy and relief these words brought to the father's heart! He had been permitted to go just far enough to test his faith and obedience, and now God restrained his hand from an act of murder. A'bra-ham was spared the actual deed of slaying and burning his son because he had proved himself ready to do so if God really demanded it.
The wood for the fire which was to consume the offering was placed upon I'saac , while A'bra-ham carried a knife and some glowing sticks from the fire which they had kindled at the foot of the hill.
As the two walked up the mountainside I'saac turned to his father and said, "Behold the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" In reply to this heart-rending question of his son, A'bra-ham uttered one of the most comforting statements to be found in the Bible. He said: "God will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering." Once again faith had moved him to speak more than he understood, making a prophecy that was soon to come true in a marvelous way, and which foretold the sacrifice of the LORD Je'sus for the world's sin.
When A'bra-ham and I'saac reached the top of the mountain where the sacrifice was to be made, they proceeded at once to build an altar. A'bra-ham then tied the hands and feet of I'saac and placed him on the wood which had been laid upon the altar. He took a knife in his hand, raised up his arm to strike the fatal blow into the heart of his son, and was in the very act of offering him as a burnt sacrifice unto God.
Suddenly an Angel spoke to him out of the Heavens, saying: "A'bra-ham, A'bra-ham; do not lay thy hands upon the lad, and do not harm him in any way: for now I know that thou truly fear God, because thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from the LORD."
What joy and relief these words brought to the father's heart! He had been permitted to go just far enough to test his faith and obedience, and now God restrained his hand from an act of murder. A'bra-ham was spared the actual deed of slaying and burning his son because he had proved himself ready to do so if God really demanded it.
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
Story 15: A'bra-ham Ordered To Sacrifice I'saac ll
For nearly three days A'bra-ham and his companions walked over the hills and valleys, up many steep and rugged paths, sleeping at night under the trees in the forests of that country. It must have been a sad, solemn journey for A'bra-ham, with bitter thoughts to fill his mind every step of the way. No doubt he thought most often of I'saac, the son and true heir whom God had given after long years of waiting. He knew that the death of I'saac would destroy all hope of the many descendants whom the LORD had promised, yet he seems not for a moment to have thought of disobeying God's command.
A'bra-ham loved the LORD with all his heart, and there was no earthly possession that he would not quickly and happily yield to Him. He had faithfully given a tenth part of all his increase, and often much more. He had always taken the best if his sheep or cattle for burnt offerings unto the LORD. He firmly believed in God's word, trusted fully in His mercy, grace, and love, and had done without question whatever the LORD had asked. But never before had he been asked to give as a burnt offering his own son, the child he loved above everything else in the world, and through whom all the families of the earth were to be blessed. What greater trial could come to any man?
A'bra-ham had a firm and conquering faith in the power of God. He had passed through many trials before, and his faith had always won. It had been hard to leave his father's home in Mes-o-po-ta'mia, to sojourn in Egypt, and to bear the separation from Lot. His faith had been tried by the ruin of Sod'om and Go-mor'rah, which he had tried to save for the sake of the few righteous people who lived in these cities. There had been great trials in the long years of waiting for the birth of I'saac, and the parting with Ha'gar and Ish'ma-el had filled him with sorrow. By these and many other trials his faith had been severely tested, yet never had failed. But now he must face a trial far greater than all the others combined. Could he trust God even now?
Yes, he had faith to believe that even though his son should be slain and the body burnt into ashes, God was able to give the child back to him from the dead. How this could be done was more than A'bra-ham could understand, for the ways of God are too wonderful to be known by even the best of men. And yet, though A'bra-ham could not understand the ways of God, there was one thing he could do. He could believe in God's mercy and power, and obey the command, knowing that He would do no wrong. To A'bra-ham:
"Providence was dark in its permissions; yet
One day when all is known,
The universe of reason shall acknowledge
How just and good were they."
As the weary travelers passed on into the third day, there suddenly appeared in the sky a bright cloud pointing out the place where the burnt offering was to be made. The glory of God shone from the top of a high hill, as if to say to A'bra-ham, "There I am, and there I wait for thee," This was a prophecy of the She-ki'nah, or miraculous light, which later was to hover over the altar of the temple on this very spot. The light of God's glorious acceptance of the faith and obedience of His servant, and of the giving back of his precious son shone upon the place where the altar was to be built.
A'bra-ham loved the LORD with all his heart, and there was no earthly possession that he would not quickly and happily yield to Him. He had faithfully given a tenth part of all his increase, and often much more. He had always taken the best if his sheep or cattle for burnt offerings unto the LORD. He firmly believed in God's word, trusted fully in His mercy, grace, and love, and had done without question whatever the LORD had asked. But never before had he been asked to give as a burnt offering his own son, the child he loved above everything else in the world, and through whom all the families of the earth were to be blessed. What greater trial could come to any man?
A'bra-ham had a firm and conquering faith in the power of God. He had passed through many trials before, and his faith had always won. It had been hard to leave his father's home in Mes-o-po-ta'mia, to sojourn in Egypt, and to bear the separation from Lot. His faith had been tried by the ruin of Sod'om and Go-mor'rah, which he had tried to save for the sake of the few righteous people who lived in these cities. There had been great trials in the long years of waiting for the birth of I'saac, and the parting with Ha'gar and Ish'ma-el had filled him with sorrow. By these and many other trials his faith had been severely tested, yet never had failed. But now he must face a trial far greater than all the others combined. Could he trust God even now?
Yes, he had faith to believe that even though his son should be slain and the body burnt into ashes, God was able to give the child back to him from the dead. How this could be done was more than A'bra-ham could understand, for the ways of God are too wonderful to be known by even the best of men. And yet, though A'bra-ham could not understand the ways of God, there was one thing he could do. He could believe in God's mercy and power, and obey the command, knowing that He would do no wrong. To A'bra-ham:
"Providence was dark in its permissions; yet
One day when all is known,
The universe of reason shall acknowledge
How just and good were they."
As the weary travelers passed on into the third day, there suddenly appeared in the sky a bright cloud pointing out the place where the burnt offering was to be made. The glory of God shone from the top of a high hill, as if to say to A'bra-ham, "There I am, and there I wait for thee," This was a prophecy of the She-ki'nah, or miraculous light, which later was to hover over the altar of the temple on this very spot. The light of God's glorious acceptance of the faith and obedience of His servant, and of the giving back of his precious son shone upon the place where the altar was to be built.
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
Story 15: A'bra-ham Ordered To Sacrifice I'saac l
In the days of A'bra-ham the central idea in worship was the offering of sacrifices. The custom had prevailed in the period before A'bra-ham, and was continued for hundreds of years after him. In keeping what they regarded as the chief duty of worship, the people erected altars and made offerings unto the LORD. The sacrifices consisted of such domestic animals as sheep, goats, and cattle, which were slain and burnt upon altars built of either stone or earth, and were dedicated to God. The offering of these animals was an expression of thanks for the blessings of life, and the blood was accepted as a full pardon for sin. In making such offerings the worshiper acknowledged his complete dependence upon God, confessed his wholehearted surrender to Him, and pledged himself to a life of obedience.
A'bra-ham had been very faithful in making offerings to God; when he moved from one place to another the first thing he did was to build an altar for sacrifices. Many of the heathen people of the world, or those who worshiped false gods, also made sacrifices, and some of them even offered their own children. In the hope of pleasing their gods these cruel people would bind their children to the altar and slay them, or cast them to wild animals to be torn and devoured. Those who worshiped the true God never followed this custom, for they knew that it was wrong to do such things. Instead of harming their children, whom the LORD had given them to love and protect, they considered it a religious duty to guard them from all danger.
It was, therefore, a great shock to A'bra-ham, and a severe trial of his faith, when one day he was ordered by the LORD to offer his son I'saac on the altar as a burnt sacrifice. A'bra-ham was then living at Be'er-she'ba, which was near the southwestern border of the land of Ca'naan, and about fifty miles from the mountainous regions of Beth'el, where he had formerly made his home. The LORD told him to take I'saac back into the hill country, where he should offer him as a burnt sacrifice on the mountain which was then known as Mo-ri'ah. To make such a journey would take nearly three days of the slow travel that could be made at the time.
With his heart filled with sorrow and despair, but still loyal and obedient to the voice of his God, A'bra-ham prepared at once for the journey. He arose early in the morning, saddled an ass, which was the animal used for travel in those days, split the wood for the burnt offering, and took two of his young men with him as servants. With his son I'saac and the two servants he then travelled in a northeasterly direction, searching for the place where God would direct him to make the sacrifice.
A'bra-ham had been very faithful in making offerings to God; when he moved from one place to another the first thing he did was to build an altar for sacrifices. Many of the heathen people of the world, or those who worshiped false gods, also made sacrifices, and some of them even offered their own children. In the hope of pleasing their gods these cruel people would bind their children to the altar and slay them, or cast them to wild animals to be torn and devoured. Those who worshiped the true God never followed this custom, for they knew that it was wrong to do such things. Instead of harming their children, whom the LORD had given them to love and protect, they considered it a religious duty to guard them from all danger.
It was, therefore, a great shock to A'bra-ham, and a severe trial of his faith, when one day he was ordered by the LORD to offer his son I'saac on the altar as a burnt sacrifice. A'bra-ham was then living at Be'er-she'ba, which was near the southwestern border of the land of Ca'naan, and about fifty miles from the mountainous regions of Beth'el, where he had formerly made his home. The LORD told him to take I'saac back into the hill country, where he should offer him as a burnt sacrifice on the mountain which was then known as Mo-ri'ah. To make such a journey would take nearly three days of the slow travel that could be made at the time.
With his heart filled with sorrow and despair, but still loyal and obedient to the voice of his God, A'bra-ham prepared at once for the journey. He arose early in the morning, saddled an ass, which was the animal used for travel in those days, split the wood for the burnt offering, and took two of his young men with him as servants. With his son I'saac and the two servants he then travelled in a northeasterly direction, searching for the place where God would direct him to make the sacrifice.
Monday, March 28, 2016
Story 14: Ish'ma-el And Ha'gar Sent Away ll
Whatever her motives may have been, it is clear that the LORD was on her side. She no doubt feared that A'bra-ham's fondness for his first-born son might lead him to seek some way of not depriving I'saac of the heritage which had been Divinely announced as his.
The request of Sa'rah presented A'bra-ham with a very difficult problem. He therefore sought guidance from the LORD, and was told to do as Sa'rah had asked. The LORD advised him that it would be better for both I'saac and Ish'ma-el, for Ha'gar and her son to be sent away, and promised that He would bless Ish'ma-el, making a great people of his descendants.
The next morning A'bra-ham provided food and a bottle of water for Ha'gar and Ish'ma-el and sent them away, thinking, no doubt, that they would go to Ha'gar's native land of Egypt. Ha'gar became lost, however, and wandered in the desert south of Ge'rar until the water given her for the journey was all gone. The sufferings of Ha'gar and Ish'ma-el were severe, for Divine Providence sought to cure them for their willfulness, and to prepare Ish'ma-el for a great future. Though punished, they were not forsaken by the LORD; though exiled from A'bra-ham's home, they were destined to make a way for themselves in the world, and though deprived of their membership in the family of Is'ra-el they were Divinely chosen to be head of another great branch of the human race.
Lost in the desert, both she and her boy perishing from thirst, Ha'gar despaired. With only the hot, burning sands for a bed, and with no canopy over them except the open skies from which there blazed down upon them a consuming heat, Ha'gar placed her son under a little bush and turned away to let him die. Her act was not cruel or heartless, she simply could not bear to see her son die.
It was in that hour of despair that the Angel of the LORD appeared to her. The Angel comforted her with the assurance that her cries had been heard by the LORD, who would deliver them from danger, and who would make a great nation of Ish'ma-el's descendants. Then her eyes were opened by the LORD, and she saw a refreshing spring of water gushing forth in the midst of the desert.
Ha'gar remained in the desert country, where she reared her son to full manhood. Ish'ma-el learned to shoot the bow and arrow with great skill, a talent that was useful in his wild, nomadic life in the desert. He was known as a wild man, and his children resembled him in their love of roaming the desert and being their own masters. Twelve sons were born to him, and each of them the head of a roving tribe of people later known as A-ra'bi-ans.
The request of Sa'rah presented A'bra-ham with a very difficult problem. He therefore sought guidance from the LORD, and was told to do as Sa'rah had asked. The LORD advised him that it would be better for both I'saac and Ish'ma-el, for Ha'gar and her son to be sent away, and promised that He would bless Ish'ma-el, making a great people of his descendants.
The next morning A'bra-ham provided food and a bottle of water for Ha'gar and Ish'ma-el and sent them away, thinking, no doubt, that they would go to Ha'gar's native land of Egypt. Ha'gar became lost, however, and wandered in the desert south of Ge'rar until the water given her for the journey was all gone. The sufferings of Ha'gar and Ish'ma-el were severe, for Divine Providence sought to cure them for their willfulness, and to prepare Ish'ma-el for a great future. Though punished, they were not forsaken by the LORD; though exiled from A'bra-ham's home, they were destined to make a way for themselves in the world, and though deprived of their membership in the family of Is'ra-el they were Divinely chosen to be head of another great branch of the human race.
Lost in the desert, both she and her boy perishing from thirst, Ha'gar despaired. With only the hot, burning sands for a bed, and with no canopy over them except the open skies from which there blazed down upon them a consuming heat, Ha'gar placed her son under a little bush and turned away to let him die. Her act was not cruel or heartless, she simply could not bear to see her son die.
It was in that hour of despair that the Angel of the LORD appeared to her. The Angel comforted her with the assurance that her cries had been heard by the LORD, who would deliver them from danger, and who would make a great nation of Ish'ma-el's descendants. Then her eyes were opened by the LORD, and she saw a refreshing spring of water gushing forth in the midst of the desert.
Ha'gar remained in the desert country, where she reared her son to full manhood. Ish'ma-el learned to shoot the bow and arrow with great skill, a talent that was useful in his wild, nomadic life in the desert. He was known as a wild man, and his children resembled him in their love of roaming the desert and being their own masters. Twelve sons were born to him, and each of them the head of a roving tribe of people later known as A-ra'bi-ans.
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Story 14: Ish'ma-el And Ha'gar Sent Away l
The coming of I'saac into the home of A'bra-ham and Sa'rah was not without moments of trial and sorrow. There was already in the household of A'bra-ham, as previously related, a son of Ha'gar, the Egyptian maid. The boy was greatly loved by his father A'bra-ham, who had grown to think of him almost as the Divinely promised heir. Twelve years before the birth of I'saac there had been a serious quarrel between Sa'rah and Ha'gar, and only the intervention of God had restored Ha'gar and her son back to the household. Now that Sa'rah had a son of her own the jealousy would be revived, with each mother looking with suspicion and envy upon the other concerning the future of the two boys. Since Ish'ma-el was twelve years old when I'saac was born, Ha'gar would naturally expect him to be his father's heir.
When I'saac was about three years old, according to a custom of that age, a great festival was held in honor of his becoming weaned. For the first time the child was permitted to eat the food which was to form his regular diet from that time on. Neighbors and friends were to join the festivities, and it was an occasion of great joy and happiness.
Ish'ma-el was now about fifteen years old, and for the past three years had looked upon I'saac with growing suspicion and envy, taunting the younger son with bitter, sarcastic remarks. He seems to have been a rough, unruly lad who scorned the quiet, gentle habits of I'saac, and his conduct toward his half-brother was rude, indiscreet, and vulgar. On this occasion he was probably jealous of the honor being paid to I'saac in the festivities.
Sa'rah felt Ish'ma-el's unbecoming attitude toward her son was not only the expression of his envy, but was the result of Ha'gar's influence and training. Her pent up envy burst forth in sharp anger. She went to A'bra-ham and demanded that Ha'gar and Ish'ma-el be sent away, saying that she did not wish her son to be reared with this rough lad.
Sa'rah realized that Ish'ma-el's jeers and ill-mannered mocking had a deeper meaning than mere impoliteness in speech. She felt that his attitude was connected with the birthright, and that he would use violence if necessary to defend what he thought was his rightful heritage. Her quick temper may have led her to call for the removal of a rival to her son's succession and title to his father's inheritance, but in her words the way was opened for the LORD to overcome evil with good, hence she may unknowingly have uttered a Divine decree.
When I'saac was about three years old, according to a custom of that age, a great festival was held in honor of his becoming weaned. For the first time the child was permitted to eat the food which was to form his regular diet from that time on. Neighbors and friends were to join the festivities, and it was an occasion of great joy and happiness.
Ish'ma-el was now about fifteen years old, and for the past three years had looked upon I'saac with growing suspicion and envy, taunting the younger son with bitter, sarcastic remarks. He seems to have been a rough, unruly lad who scorned the quiet, gentle habits of I'saac, and his conduct toward his half-brother was rude, indiscreet, and vulgar. On this occasion he was probably jealous of the honor being paid to I'saac in the festivities.
Sa'rah felt Ish'ma-el's unbecoming attitude toward her son was not only the expression of his envy, but was the result of Ha'gar's influence and training. Her pent up envy burst forth in sharp anger. She went to A'bra-ham and demanded that Ha'gar and Ish'ma-el be sent away, saying that she did not wish her son to be reared with this rough lad.
Sa'rah realized that Ish'ma-el's jeers and ill-mannered mocking had a deeper meaning than mere impoliteness in speech. She felt that his attitude was connected with the birthright, and that he would use violence if necessary to defend what he thought was his rightful heritage. Her quick temper may have led her to call for the removal of a rival to her son's succession and title to his father's inheritance, but in her words the way was opened for the LORD to overcome evil with good, hence she may unknowingly have uttered a Divine decree.
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
Story 13: The Birth Of I'saac ll
It was the beginning of a Divine supernatural agency which would continue to operate throughout the history of the chosen people of God. He was not only the child of the Covenant, but the supernatural element in his birth was a sign of the Divine in the development and fulfillment of the Covenant of Redemption for man.
Greatest of all, the miraculous birth of I'saac was prophetic of a still greater supernatural birth which was to take place in the future A'bra-ham'ic family. It foretold the miracle by which God would bring "His first-begotten" into the world. As in the case of I'saac, the birth of Jesus was announced long before it took place, the name was given prior to the birth, and the birth occurred at a time appointed by God. In both cases the beginning of a greater Is'ra-el in the world was marked by a miraculous birth.
Sa'rah's visitation recalls that Ma'ry, the Mother of Je'sus, though there were differences. Sa'rah gave birth when she was old and the natural faculties of child-bearing were dead, while Ma'ry was little more than a child herself. Sa'rah's child was to be the father of natural Is'ra-el; the Son of Mary was to be the founder of spiritual Is'ra-el.
The birth of I'saac was the occasion for the first cradle hymn of history, the song of Sa'rah being the first of its kind of literature. It was a hymn of wonder and joy in supreme acknowledgment of the gift of God, and a song in which her relatives and friends heartily joined in singing. It was a song of the greatness that was to come for her son, and of the hope for countless descendants.
Greatest of all, the miraculous birth of I'saac was prophetic of a still greater supernatural birth which was to take place in the future A'bra-ham'ic family. It foretold the miracle by which God would bring "His first-begotten" into the world. As in the case of I'saac, the birth of Jesus was announced long before it took place, the name was given prior to the birth, and the birth occurred at a time appointed by God. In both cases the beginning of a greater Is'ra-el in the world was marked by a miraculous birth.
Sa'rah's visitation recalls that Ma'ry, the Mother of Je'sus, though there were differences. Sa'rah gave birth when she was old and the natural faculties of child-bearing were dead, while Ma'ry was little more than a child herself. Sa'rah's child was to be the father of natural Is'ra-el; the Son of Mary was to be the founder of spiritual Is'ra-el.
The birth of I'saac was the occasion for the first cradle hymn of history, the song of Sa'rah being the first of its kind of literature. It was a hymn of wonder and joy in supreme acknowledgment of the gift of God, and a song in which her relatives and friends heartily joined in singing. It was a song of the greatness that was to come for her son, and of the hope for countless descendants.
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