In this session we encounter the story of Abraham and Isaac. God told Abraham to sacrifice his only son, but then He provided an animal that was caught in the thicket, therefore supplying the sacrifice that preserved Isaac’s life. This event gives us a picture of the special sacrifice God requires for sin. The sacrifice does not come from us but from God. Our responsibility is to trust in God’s provision of atonement and to see His love demonstrated in His sending of Jesus. As we embrace God’s promises, we are empowered to engage in His mission.
Garden Coverings
Abraham and Isaac
Passover
Sacrificial Offerings
Water from the Rock
Bronze Snake
Sign of Jonah
Suffering Servant
Lamb of God
Bread of Life
Perfect Sacrifice
Washed Robe
The Bible reveals that there is anarchy somewhere, real thorough-going anarchy in the heart of men against God; therefore the need is strong that something should come into us from the outside to readjust us, to reconcile us, to turn us round, to put us right with God. The doctrine of the Atonement is the explanation of how God does that.–Oswald Chambers (1874-1917)
When Abraham offered his son Isaac, he was a type of God the Father, while Isaac prefigured our Lord and Savior.
–Caesarius of Arles (460-542)
Gen. 22:12
Abraham…was tested by being called upon to make this offering. And of course, God accepted his intentions, but he prevented him from slaying Isaac. The death of Isaac would not buy freedom for the world. No, that could be accomplished only by the death of our Savior, by whose stripes we are all healed.
–Athanasius (circa 293-373)
In the ram that hung in the tree and had become the sacrifice in the place of Abraham’s son, there might be depicted the day of Him who was to hang upon the wood like a ram and was to taste death for the sake of the whole world.–Ephrem the Syrian (circa 306-373)
Having faith does not mean never having doubts or questions. It does mean remaining obedient.–John Ortberg
The God who is there does not demand that we sacrifice our children; instead, in sovereign grace He provides a sacrifice.–D. A. Carson
As we have seen in this session, the provision of God does not originate with us. Abraham was merely a recipient of the goodness of God, who provided a substitute for Isaac. The waterfall of God’s love is summarized by John 3:16, which says the Father, who did not withhold His own Son, sent Christ into the world to be a substitute on our behalf.
He is the One who bends down to earth when we cannot raise ourselves to heaven. He is the One who brings humanity to a point of intimate contact with divinity. When we embrace that reality, when by faith we are able to kneel in humility before the generosity of the Father, only then can we respond to God’s provision in salvation. Only then can we accept the Son whose sacrifice was accepted by the Father for the atonement of our sins.
In the story of the Passover, we come to understand our need to escape the just and righteous wrath of God. The blood of an unblemished lamb was the mark that signified the faith of God’s people. The Passover lamb provides a picture of the coming Messiah who will redeem us by His blood. Now, as God’s redeemed people, we are called to worship the Savior and be His instruments as He continues His mission of seeking and saving the lost.