"FOR NOW I KNOW!"

Genesis 22:1-14               (NASB)
"1 Now it came about after these things, that GOD tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 2 He said, “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.” 3 So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him and Isaac his son; and he split wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which GOD had told him. 4 On the third day Abraham raised his eyes and saw the place from a distance. 5 Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey, and I and the lad will go over there; and we will worship and return to you.” 6 Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son, and he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So the two of them walked on together. 7 Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” And he said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” 8 Abraham said, “GOD will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” So the two of them walked on together.

9 Then they came to the place of which GOD had told him; and Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood, and bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11 But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 12 He said, “Do not stretch out your hand against the lad, and do nothing to him; "FOR NOW I KNOW" that you fear GOD, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from ME.”



There is NO DOUBT in my mind that that the Holy Bible is GOD's Word for all of us to study for our own good (2 Timothy 3:16-17).  The more I study HIS Word the more evidence I find to validate Who HE is and just how good HE is to us.  Slowing your life down to get on the same pace as HE operates is KEY for us all.  GOD may be speaking to some of us is a SLOW pace, and HE may be speaking to others in the STILLNESS of an illness or injury.  But if we are listening for HIM, HE will speak to all of us who are HIS (John 8:47).

Abraham heard from GOD in Genesis 22.  GOD instructed Abraham to take his son, Isaac, to Mount Moriah and offer Isaac on a sacrificial alter to the LORD.  Isaac was a PRIME gift from GOD.  Abraham and Sarah were well up in years when Isaac was conceived.  Abraham must have been elated to have been given such a blessing.  Now GOD was instructing Abraham to offer Isaac as a sacrifice to HIM on an altar?  Surely GOD was confused or was having  a bad moment?  GOD would not require such an offering from one of HIS most faithful followers, would HE?

Abraham and Isaac began their journey to the altar and Isaac asked what they would do about the offering?  Abraham responded, “GOD will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” The agony Abraham must have been experiencing was traumatic. GOD was requiring the most precious of gifts to be given back to HIM in the most unorthodox manner!  They built the altar and then Abraham laid Isaac on the altar.  Then Abraham drew his knife to slay his son Isaac.

GOD then spoke to Abraham in a voice that was loud and clear!  HE said "FOR NOW I KNOW" that you fear GOD since you have not withheld your son from me!  But GOD knew all along that Abraham would be faithful to HIS command.  The thing is, now Abraham KNEW that GOD would provide.  Abraham had told Isaac that GOD would provide, but now he KNEW from experience that GOD would provide!

We all want to believe we have faith that GOD will do what HE says HE will do.  But, when it comes down to it, do we really believe enough to lay an offering on the altar so dear to us?  Can we TRUST that GOD will provide a sacrifice when the time comes?  Our GOD knows everything before it happens, and HE knew Abraham would be obedient with his sacrifice.  Now Abraham could also say "FOR NOW I KNOW" that GOD will provide!