First Sunday in Lent: Old Testament, Genesis 22:1-18                    

Genesis 22:1-18

Introductions have long passed. Promises have been made. And the early steps of faith are maturing into “man” steps, distinguishing them from perhaps baby steps from months and years gone by. A much-wanted son has appeared through plan, unbelief, pragmatism, and finally submission. Albeit still with a laugh. And this treasure of a young man is both the seed and hope of all the promises made from Yahweh to Abraham.

Then comes the heavenly instruction, command actually. In so many words the Lord could have simply said, “Abraham, slay your hope!” That in essence is what the Lord’s instructions would bring to a heart learning to live on divine promises. After disbelief, conniving, and learning to trust, Abraham had received the blessing of promise fulfilled and the hope to come seemed well in hand. Then the Lord speaks from heaven and says, “Offer your hope to me. Kill the hope, Abraham. Isaac is mine before he is yours.” As the father of two sons, I find it hard to engage this account as mere history. It comes too close.

God is a Father for so our Lord, His divine Son has made known to us. And from one Father to another, this conversation presses the lesser father to limits that no father should have to approach. But Abraham has been listening. Growing. He steps forward with a trust that boggles every reader that has picked up this ancient scroll. Abraham says yes. He is willing to put Isaac and all that is promised through him into the hands of the Greater Father. God accepts the offering, grants a substitute and with faithful Abraham looks down the ages to another “only Son” who will also be called to trust His Father. He did. And the promises given to Abraham to be realized through the line of his son are ours because another Son said yes. 

How blessed we are.