The Lord Provides
Or
The Challenge to Commitment
Genesis 22:1-2, 6-14
Or
Genesis 22:1-14
International Sunday School Lesson
December 18, 2011
Commentary
By
Jed Greenough
It is my opinion that today’s scripture more than anywhere else best paints the picture of Abraham, God’s servant. We have read how when told to go Abraham obediently left behind almost everything he had known, departing for an unknown destination. Though it wasn’t a part of our recent studies we can read of a concerned Abraham sending his son Ishmael away. Not because of what Sarah said but rather because God instructed him. And now even though he waited 100 years for the promised son, and that there were already years of loving enjoyment of that son, and three days of bone weary travel, there was nothing that shook the obedience of Abraham. And this time it isn’t to leave everything and go to a new land but rather to sacrifice his long awaited heir. This as I said paints the picture of God’s obedient and faithful servant.
So what are you going to do with this image of this obedient servant? Do you learn from it, do you shake your head, doubt it, and maybe even get angry? It is my belief that God does not speak to hear Himself talk. Therefore all the scripture that we have has a purpose and we just have to search out its application.
For example in 1 Corinthians 11:1 Paul said, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” We know that if we were to follow Paul’s example we would zealously, fearlessly and with intelligence be about the work of the gospel.
If we were to use the early church as an example of instruction of our worship practices we should start by basing those around devoting ourselves “to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:42
Recently we looked at Matthew 6 as Jesus instructed us how to pray, how to reconcile in Matthew 5, and a while before that the superiority of wisdom in Ecclesiastes 9.
So what is today instructing us in? If you listen to some in academia they would tell you that an author of anything including the Bible only has one meaning and that is what you must discover. And some would say that we must not forget that there is also implied meaning. The best example I always recall is found in Ephesians 5:18. In that we are told, “Do not get drunk on wine, which lead to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” In that verse the meaning or intent of the author Paul is crystal clear but we can also take away implied meanings such as he would also include any type of drug or alcohol that would produce the same effect.
What I think that too many fail to take into account is the true author of the Bible. Yes we should search out the matter and it usually has one meaning but with the complexity of God’s ways there are layers like an onion for each of us to peel away when we look at His word. And when we consider what God’s word is saying we must never forget to apply Isaiah 55:11:
“So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
In today’s case was the purpose to show the following?
1. To show that God chose the most obedient person in the world to be the father of us all.
2. To show that God provides.
3. To show that God does in fact test us.
4. To show that if God can ask this of Abraham we should not consider what God asks of us too great a thing.
5. To show that if Abraham was willing to sacrifice his only son we should be willing to leave anything and everything to follow God.
The answer to all of these is, yes. And this complexity, this ability for God’s word to accomplish in us, in different moments and in different situations what He desires, shows us with confidence that these are not just words written by men but that this truly is the word of God. Therefore to borrow from one of today’s titles, God does indeed provide. He provides exactly what purpose He desires today, tomorrow, and yesterday or as in this case, 4000 years ago. Will you search out that purpose?
For Discussion:
1. Discuss what would have occurred to Abraham’s faith had he disobeyed God.
2. Discuss what would have been the result for us if Abraham had disobeyed God.
3. I have listed 5 purposes that God had in today’s passage. Discuss others that might be found in this passage.
4. Discuss Abraham sacrificing his only son and Christ being God’s only son. Is there a parallel?
5. Ask people to share ways that they have been tested by God.
6. Ask people to share examples of God providing on a personal level.
7. Ask people to share examples of their not being willing to sacrifice something that they should have to God and instances where they were obedient.
8. Read James 2:14-26.
9. Think you know Abraham pretty well right? You might not if you have only read the assigned texts each week. Did you know that Abraham and Sarah were related before marrying? Read all of Genesis 20:1-12.
12-25-11: According to the Promise (Mary’s Song of Praise), Luke 1:46-55 or 1:46-66; 2:1-7
1-1-12: God Watches over Joseph (Guided by a Loving Lord) Genesis 39:7-21a
1-8-12: Joseph Finds Favor (A Discerning and Wise Leader) Genesis 41:37-45, 50-52 or
41:37-46, 50-52
1-15-12: God Preserves a Remnant (A Brother Revealed) Genesis 45:3-15
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved
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