Genesis 22:11-19

"Now I Know That You Fear God"

God then saw Abraham would obey no matter what the cost. The Angel of the Lord stayed him from killing Isaac. He then said, "Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me."

God then truly provided a sacrifice as Abraham had told Isaac he would. "Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son." Interestingly enough, Abraham "The-Lord-Will-Provide," or Jehovah-Jireh, as a name for the place. God then renewed the promise. Abraham's descendants would be like the stars in multitude. All nations of the earth would one day be blessed through his seed (Genesis 22:11-19).

Lessons Learned From Abraham

Abraham showed his faith in an obedient response to God. "Do you not see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.' And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only" (James 2:22-24). It is a working faith which saves.

Abraham did not do the things he did to earn his way into heaven, but to please God (Romans 4:1-25). Our goal is also to please God through obedient faith and enter heaven by God's grace (Ephesians 2:8-10).