The nation of Israel referred to three Patriarchs as the important ancestors of their nation: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Abraham is known as the father of Israel, the one to whom God made the promise. And we’ll see soon that Jacob became the father of twelve sons, who became leaders of the Twelve Tribes of Israel.
Isaac is especially important to follow, for he is the son that God promised to Abraham and Sarah.
Years after Isaac was born, God commanded Abraham to sacrifice Isaac - the son he was promised. He was also the only son he had left, since Hagar and Ishmael had been banished. Abraham, in a profound display of faith, commits to follow through with God’s command.
In both instances – Isaac’s birth and Abraham’s sacrifice – God reveals his own character, to Abraham and to us. God can be trusted. God is good. He asked Abraham to sacrifice his son; in the end Isaac was spared, but God didn’t spare his own son when the time came. And just as he provided the lamb for Abraham’s sacrifice, Jesus is the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world.
God can be trusted. Will you trust him today?
Prayer: Dear God, you are trustworthy and good. You keep your promises, and you do whatever it takes to show your love for us. I believe that Jesus died so that I can have a relationship with you! Amen.