Abraham

January 25

Genesis 22:13-19

God provides!

Abraham was just about to offer his son Isaac to God when God spoke and stopped him. God said, “Do not hurt the boy. Now I know that you trust and obey Me, because you were willing to give Me your very best.”

Just then Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught in a bush by its horns. He took the ram and sacrificed it to the Lord on the altar he had made.

Abraham called that place “The Lord Will Provide,” and he and his son returned to his waiting servants.

What is a sacrifice?

A sacrifice is a costly gift—something that is precious and means a lot to the person making the sacrifice. This was true of the woman who poured expensive perfume on Jesus (Mark 14:3). A sacrifice could also be something we cannot see, like giving up a privilege or a right. It might even be giving of your time, such as spending an entire afternoon taking care of a younger brother or sister.

Even though Abraham was asked to do something very difficult, his love for God and his complete trust in Him led him to obey God fully.

In Old Testament times, people brought an animal to an altar, which was a pile of stones. The animal was given to God as a sacrifice and burned on the altar.

A sacrifice for sin is very important. Later, you will see how Jesus became the sacrifice for our sin. Just as Abraham was willing to sacrifice Isaac, God sent His Son, Jesus, to be a sacrifice for us. But unlike Isaac, God did not spare Jesus—He allowed Jesus to die for our sins.

Verse for today

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 4:10