Saturday 11 November 2023
- Bible Book:
- Genesis
And Abraham looked up and saw a ram, caught in a thicket by its horns. Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. (v. 13)
Background
Surely, most people, reading this story for the first time would react with horror at what God is asking Abraham to do. It has echoes of the Hagar and Ishmael story: in both cases, a son whom God had promised to Abraham is to be sacrificed. In both cases, Abraham did not hesitate; he set out to do as God commanded.
Perhaps a clue to what's going on in Abraham’s mind is contained in verse 8 when he answers Isaac’s question "God himself will provide the lamb for a burnt-offering, my son." Abraham is doing as commanded, but he has faith in God, and believes that all will be well.
It is this story that is referenced in John 1:29 when John the Baptist identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God.
God reinforces his promise to Abraham when he says "I will indeed bless you, and I will make your offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore." (vs 15-17) It's quite a promise, no matter how many centuries you let pass.
Abraham was not alone at any time, he was accompanied by herders, servants and by members of his wider family. Back in Genesis 14 he is called on to save Lot who has been captured by a warlord and he sends out 318 trained men to do battle. He was in fact head of a substantial clan. Throughout Genesis, the stories are told about individual characters in the line of descent, all of whom are described at some point in their story as having a strong band with them.
That theme continues right through into Exodus and the Israelites' escape from Egypt.
To Ponder:
- When God speaks to us he may ask for a sacrifice. Have you ever found God asking more of you than you feel able to offer?
- How connected do you feel to this long Abrahamic line?