When looking for a picture for today’s post, I searched pixabay.com with the word obedience.
Dogs, dogs, and more dogs were the main photos that appeared.
The one above is showing a shepherd dog breed doing weave poles on an agility course.
- What is it about dogs that make us link them so closely with the word obedience?
As a norm, dogs that are properly raised desire to please their humans.
My husband did agility training with Molly, one of our previous dogs.
Molly loved the rewards of food treats while learning the various parts of an agility course.
When Molly was not actively training on the course, we had to keep her leashed because she would search the entire field for any stray treats that other dogs may have missed.
Molly also loved the time she spent being active with my husband while training.
It was a special bonding time for their relationship.
- How does this relate to Bible Study?
Today’s passage:
13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. (Gen 22:13 ESV)
14 So Abraham called the name of that place, “The LORD will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided. “(Gen 22:14 ESV)
15 And the Angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven 16 and said, “By myself, I have sworn, declares the LORD, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son,17 I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies,18 and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed because you have obeyed my voice.” (Gen 22:15-18 ESV)
19 So Abraham returned to his young men, and they arose and went together to Beersheba. And Abraham lived at Beersheba. (Gen 22:19ESV)
The context of this passage starts back in Genesis 22:1-2:
1 After these things, God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here am I.” 2 He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” (Gen 22:1-2 ESV)
Then verses 3-12 detail Abraham’s immediate compliance with God’s instructions.
Abraham asked no questions about God’s instructions.
Abraham’s servants did not question Abraham’s actions.
Only Isaac, once he and Abraham were alone, asked a question:
And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” And he said, “Here am I, my son.” He said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” (Gen 22:7 ESV)
Abraham’s response to Isaac’s question was that the Lord would provide the lamb.
After building an altar, Abraham binds Isaac again in compliance with the Lord’s instructions.
There is no mention of Isaac’s reaction when Abraham binds him.
Then, at the precise moment Abraham is about to slay Isaac as instructed, the Lord intervenes and provides, not a lamb, but a ram, to take Isaac’s place.
Later in scripture, one learns rams are used for burnt offerings as a pleasing food aroma to the Lord during ordination services for priests (see Lev 8-9) and on the Day of Atonement (see Lev 16).
The provision of a ram instead of a lamb may foreshadow this practice.
Abraham again complies with the Lord’s instructions and offers the ram as a burnt offering.
Then the Lord says:
By myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, (Gen 22:16 ESV)
The Lord swears by himself because, as the Bible repeatedly reminds us, there is no one greater than the Lord.
For when God made a promise to Abraham since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself (Heb 6:13 ESV)
What does because you have done this reference?
Remember, the Lord gave Abraham these bizarre instructions as a test.
According to verse 16, the test was about Abraham’s obedience to the Lord.
Abraham has passed the test of obedience.
- Do you think Isaac was also being tested?
- Did Isaac also pass?
- Why is scripture silent about Isaac’s reactions?
The Lord continues:
17 “I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, 18 and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed because you have obeyed my voice.” (Gen 22:17-18 ESV)
Verse 17 reaffirms the covenant previously promised to Abraham.
Isaac is Abraham’s offspring through whom this multiplying of offspring God initially promised and now once again confirmed thanks to the provision of the ram.
Abraham’s offspring will be like the stars of heaven and the sand on the seashore.
These offspring will possess the gate of his enemies.
Abraham’s offspring will bless all nations of the earth.
- Why? Abraham obeyed the voice of the Lord.
Even the last verse of this section omits Isaac.
So Abraham returned to his young men, and they arose and went together to Beersheba. And Abraham lived at Beersheba. (Gen 22:19 ESV)
- Why do you think scripture does not mention Isaac’s reactions?
- Do you agree that Isaac also obeyed the voice of the Lord?
- Why do you think Abraham was obedient to the Lord?
Review the chapters in Genesis leading up to today’s passage.
- What had transpired between Abraham and God that motivated Abraham to believe?
Also, consider the comments by Paul and James in the New Testament about Abraham:
For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” (Rom 4:3 ESV)
That is why [Abraham’s] faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” 23 But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, (Rom 4:22 ESV)
He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all. How will he not also with him graciously give us all things? (Rom 8:32 ESV)
Just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness?” (Gal 3:6 ESV)
And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”–and he was called a friend of God. (Jam 2:23 ESV)
Personal Reflection Questions:
- Do you believe in God? Why or why not?
- Do you trust God? Why or why not?
- What causes you to struggle with believing or trusting God?
- How can Abraham and Isaac’s experiences increase your belief and trust in God?
- Do you struggle with being obedient to God’s instructions to you?
- How can Abraham and Isaac’s example help you choose to obey God?
- Why does God desire our obedience?
- Is being obedient only about gaining rewards?
- Are you a friend of God? Why or why not?
- How does a well-trained dog’s willingness to obey its human master inform you how you might obey the Lord?
Take some time this week to read Psalm 105.
- How does Psalm 105 encourage you to believe and trust God?
Blessings,
Barbara Lynn