Promises from the Prophets
See also: Ibrahim in the Qur'an »
OUTLINE
God promised to bless all people through Abraham
God promised to bless all people through Abraham (Genesis 12:2-3, Genesis 18:18-19, Genesis 22:17-18). Through Abraham's heir, God promised to fix the problems of Adam and Eve's sin. He said that through Abraham, he would bring blessings, not curses, for all peoples of the earth (Genesis 22:18-19, Acts 3:25, Galatians 3:8, John 8:56).
Abraham left his home in obedience to God
Abraham left his home in obedience to God (Genesis 12:1-5, Genesis 24:34-36). Leaving the land of Ur, Abraham prospered. But after many years, it was not clear why God had brought him out in search of another 'promised land'. God had also promised a son. But Abraham was now an old man, and his wife Sarah an old woman: too old for childbearing (Genesis 16:1-4, Genesis 17:15-21).
Abraham and Sarah took matters into their own hands
On Sarah's suggestion, Abraham fathered a son by her handmaiden, Hagar – a legitimate practice according to Ancient Near Eastern culture, but not something God had commanded him to do. This son was called Ishmael. He was born first, yet he was not the heir God had promised to Abraham. Instead, the heir God promised to Abraham would be supernaturally born of Sarah through a miracle (Genesis 16:1-4, Genesis 17:15-21, Genesis 18:9-15, Genesis 21:1-8).
God provided a miraculous son to Abraham and Sarah
After years of waiting, the boy was born, even to this old couple! Sarah laughed with amazement, and the boy was named Isaac, meaning 'laughter' (Genesis 21:1-8).
God tested Abraham's trust, again
After years of waiting, Abraham delighted in his son Isaac. But God tested Abraham again. God asked him to take his son, his one-and-only heir, and sacrifice him (Genesis 22:2). It was a shocking command, but Abraham believed God, and took the boy up a mountain near Jerusalem where the sacrifice was to be made (Genesis 22:2-3). As he travelled, Abraham remained confident: “God himself will provide the offering”(Genesis 22:7-10). And if Isaac was slain, God could raise him.
God provided a ram in Isaac's place
When Isaac was tied, and ready to die, a voice called to Abraham, “Stop!” There in the thicket, God had provided a sacrificial ram, to take Isaac's place and die on the altar (Genesis 22:11-12). Abraham worshipped God. He named this place “The LORD will provide” (Genesis 22:13-18).
REFLECTION: THE BLESSINGS OF GOD
God promised to bless all people through Abraham's heir.
God chose Abraham purposefully, so that through him the Israelites would become God’s chosen people, to bless all peoples of the earth. God only gave a glimpse to Abraham what it means to offer his only son, and provided a ram as a ransom.
Just as God provided a ram to take Isaac's place on the altar of sacrifice, it was always God’s plan to rescue all humanity from the guilt of sin and its consequences, providing a ransom. As we consider the lives and messages of the prophets, we will begin to see this more and more.
DISCUSSION POINTS
- Why was Isaac Abraham’s heir, if Ishmael was born first?
- Read Galatians 3:16 in the Bible. How does God bless the nations through Abraham’s offspring?