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Doesn’t it seem like this summer is flying by? Thank you for taking some time to consider Genesis 22:1-19, especially if you’ve been studying with me. I’m praying the Holy Spirit is using our work to reveal mighty truths to you!
This past week, we used the process described in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 to consider how we can put what we’ve discovered here to practice. Here’s what the Spirit worked through with me.
Last Week’s Work
LESSON(S) LEARNED
The key takeaway I have from this study is that Abraham’s whole life was a string of actions based on belief in God’s promises. Though we focused on a single incident in his (and especially Isaac’s!) life, Abraham’s faith was tested multiple times, giving him lots of opportunities to believe or doubt. And his trust in God was always rewarded.
In the now three decades (!) since I was saved, I have seen the same consistency. There has never been a time the Lord hasn’t provided for me, and some of those moments truly have no explanation other than that God intervened.
CONVICTION
The Spirit’s recent focus on v8 and Isaac’s perspective of God’s intervention in this sacrifice convicted me that His work in my life includes revelation for others. Before I was saved, I looked at His provision as “luck” or “coincidence” or didn’t pay any attention to it at all.
But after that moment, I knew something was different. I didn’t know what, because I didn’t know how to recognize the connection between faith and provision. In this passage, I believe Isaac submitted to the sacrifice (even though, as noted by the BibleRef.com website, he likely could have evaded being bound and placed on the altar) because he knew and trusted Abraham and Abraham’s God. In other words, growing up around Abraham’s faith and its results trained Isaac to also believe that God would provide. And He did!
Recently, I’ve been asked to develop a Bible study program for a group of teens who attend my church. My background is adult skill development—I have almost no experience working with teens! Yet I believe the timing of that request and this study is no coincidence. I’m convicted that the Lord is asking me to help these young people develop skills that will enable them to appreciate, among other biblical principles, the connection between faith and provision. So, in addition to being convicted by Abraham’s statement of faith, I also feel convicted by his repeated response to both God and God’s angel, Here I am.
CORRECTION
One verse stood out as I reviewed all the Scripture from this study—a cross-reference for verse 8: “But Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’” It’s Jesus’s response to the disciples’ questioning how anyone could be saved if rich people will struggle to enter God’s kingdom. I think this speaks to the difference between God’s economy and the world’s economy. In the world’s economy, money opens all doors. But in God’s economy, faith is the only requirement for salvation. It’s not about what I do; it’s about what God can do through my faithful service.
ACTION PLAN
My action plan is pretty simple: I’ve committed to teaching that class this fall. We know that by faith, Abraham’s descendants did indeed number as the stars in the sky and the sands on the shore. God keeps his promises. I intend to be one who does the same!
Our Next Study
So far, we’ve learned about the LORD our Shepherd, the LORD of Hosts, and the LORD our Provider. Next, let’s dig deeper into the Old Testament and learn about the LORD our Righteousness by digging into Jeremiah 33:14-26 [and 23:1-8].
This will be a first for me, friends! To this point, I’ve purposely avoided studying the prophets. But I believe the Spirit is leading me to this passage for a reason, and I trust that whatever the outcome it will be for God’s glory. I hope you’ll join me beginning next week. I know it’s going to be good!