Scripture: Genesis 22: 1-18
Believing in the scriptural account of Abraham’s unwavering faith, which included his belief in Isaac’s resurrection from the ashes (Romans 4:17), poses no challenge for me. This faith serves as a profound testimony to Abraham’s unwavering trust in God’s promises.
Consider for a moment the gravity of Abraham’s sacrifice. Isaac, the child of promise, the very embodiment of God’s covenant, was to be offered as a burnt offering. This act of obedience was not undertaken lightly. In human terms, no loving fathers could burn their sons on the altar. Indeed, it was an extraordinary demonstration of faith.
God, in His boundless mercy, stopped Abraham from completing the act, providing a ram as a substitute. The divine approval that followed, expressed through the angel of the LORD, underscores the depth of God’s pleasure in Abraham’s faith. His obedience unleashed a cascade of blessings (Genesis 22: 15-18) that transcended generations.
15 The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time 16 and said, ‘I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, 18 and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.’
Through his unwavering trust, God made a promise to bless not only Abraham but his descendants as well. God assures Abraham that his descendants will be as numerous as the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore (v. 17a). This promise of an innumerable posterity goes beyond the natural expectations of old age, reinforcing the miraculous nature of God’s covenant. Moreover, God promises that Abraham’s descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies (V.17b). This suggests not only the multiplication of his descendants but also their triumph over their adversaries. It speaks of a prosperous and victorious future for Abraham’s lineage.
In this moment, we discover that our faith, too, is inextricably linked to this legacy of Abraham. This promise, often referred to as the Abrahamic Covenant, foreshadows the eventual coming of Jesus Christ, who is seen as the ultimate fulfillment of this covenant. Through Christ (the offspring, v. 18), the blessings promised to Abraham are extended to all people, irrespective of their nationality or background, even to us all. We have been blessed through the seed of Abraham, Jesus (Galatians 3:16)!
Obedience to God, even in the most difficult circumstances, brings blessings that transcend our own lives. As children of faith, we are called to walk in the footsteps of Abraham, obeying God and becoming vessels of blessing to others.
