GENESIS
CHAPTER
22
1. After these things God tested Abraham, He said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am," 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 that I shall show you."
(Genesis chapter 22 verse 1 and 2)
At times God may ask of us requests that He does not ask society at large. This depends on our level of relationship with him. Previously God had asked me to leave everything and I thought that He wanted me to enter the priesthood. I lived two years in a convent at St. Augustines and one month with the brothers of Mother Theresa in Sicily, however in time God showed me that this form of life was not according to His will.
God wanted me to leave my past negative experiences and start living for Him and with Him. God wanted me to be alive, instead of only partially alive. However His call to live for Him as the top priority of my life, is not an easy task, especially when one is married, because one's attention care and time has to be shared, however even in such circumstances, God still needs to be given the top priority because without Him, nothing else matters and even marriages can fall apart.
In time God shows us the way that He expects us to take. A typical example is this blog. After I had a discussion with a leader of a Charismatic group during which I shared my wish with him to share prayer time online, he encouraged me to do so. At the time I did not know what a blog was or how to make one. After I discussed the issue with my nephew, he helped me out in making a blog and to this very day I am sharing my reflections online.
3. So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac; he cut the wood for the burnt offering, and set out and went to the place in the distance that God had shown him.
(Genesis chapter 22 verse 3)
We can just imagine what a sleepless night Abraham had thinking how God could ask of him the life of his beloved son, whom God Himself had previously promised to make a nation out of him. At times we do not understand, God's will and we may experience fear and anxiety. However, God always has a purpose for permitting things to happen and for asking us to perform particular actions.
4. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place far away. 5 Then Abraham said to his young men, " Stay here with the donkey; the boy and I will go over there; we will worship, and then we will come back to you."
(Genesis chapter 22 verses 4 to 5)
From far away Abraham saw the mountain on which God had asked him to offer his son. On His way to Calvary Jesus also viewed the mountain or hilltop on which He was to be offered as sacrifice for our salvation, however in faith neither of them turned back in regret. During the crises of our life we may also view those situations that are bound to be a source of pain and anguish, however although we are aware of the pain involved we still need to take the necessary actions even if this concerns issues of faith that put other matters such as our jobs at risk.
In faith Abraham shared with his men what was going to take place on the mountain. Jesus also explained what was going to happen to him so that when his death and resurrection would take place we would believe. As Christians we are the witnesses of Jesus on earth.
6. Abraham took the wood of the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. So the two of them walked on together. 7 Issac said to his father Abraham, "Father!" And he said, "Here I am, my son." He said, "The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?"
(Genesis chapter 22 verses 6 to 7)
At times the jig saw puzzles of our life seem to match the whole picture, however, there always seems to be the missing pieces, that only God has in his possession to make the picture complete and make sense as a whole.
8. Abraham said, "God himself will provide the lamb for a burnt offering my son." So the two of them walked on together.
(Genesis chapter 22 verse 8)
Abraham is indeed a pillar of faith, a signpost that we should follow in our daily lives. Although he was aware that God had asked him to offer his son as a burnt offering he still had the faith in God that He would spare his son and bestow on Isaac God's promise. However the message in his response is 'Do not worry my friend place your trust in God and trust in Him, God knows what we need and when we need it so do not fear', this is a message for us all.
9. When they came to the place that God had shown him, Abraham built an altar there laid the wood in order. He bound his son Isaac, and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood.
(Genesis chapter 22 verse 9)
On reflecting Abraham took great care to make God's offering nothing ever than perfectness. When describing the way that he laid the wood on the altar, the biblical author used terms such as 'in order' that is to describe the fact that Abraham did everything according to God's will. His obedience was reflected by and in everything he did. God is to be all in all for us, and in everything we do, we must take care to transmit our faith and Christian values.
10. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to kill 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 lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me."
(Genesis chapter 22 verses 10 to 12)
Verses ten to 12 tell us much about the loving nature of God, who is not in favour of violence or other forms of disorder. Moreover God appreciates when we reciprocate in obedience to God. God is always ready to cater for our needs, but on the other hand we are also expected to fulfill our role in God's plan for our salvation and not leave all the work for God to accomplish.
13. And Abraham looked up and saw a ram, caught in a thicket by its horns. Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called that place "The LORD will provide"; as it is said to this day, "On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided."
(Genesis chapter 22 verses 13 to 14)
As Abraham had prophetically spoken to Isaac God indeed provided the animal for the sacrifice instead of his son. At the right moment God intervenes on our behalf. In this respect I would like to share my own experience of such an intervention. I like to play 'Need For Speed World' an online game about car racing. I wished to get a car called Audi quattro but the deadline was close to have the cars changed, according to the monthly rotation. I really wished to have this car but I was pressed for time. I decided to buy another car via credit car, however the Audi was not among the list of available cars. To make a long story short, God intervened and along with the car that I bought there was the Audi that was given as a free car. I was totally amazed. Some may consider such events as coincidental however I have learnt to consider every situation as coming from God and I have never been disappointed by him.
15. The angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time from heaven, 16 and said, "By myself I have sworn, says the LORD; Because you have done this, and have not witheld your son, your only son, 17 I will indeed bless you, and I will make your offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of their enemies, 18 and by your offspring shall all the nations of the earth gain blessing for themselves, because you have obeyed my voice." 19 So Abraham returned to his young men, and they arose and went together to Beer-sheba; and Abraham lived at Beer-sheba.
(Genesis chapter 22 verses 15 to 19)
According to verses 15 to 19 of the twenty-second chapter it seems that Abraham was so intent to carry out God's will much to Isaac's horrific trauma that the angel of the LORD called Abraham for a second time and bid him to spare his son. Moreover even God Himself had to intervene by confirming the original promise made between Himself and Abraham in relation to his future and that of his future descendants.
On analyzing verse 19 we can infer that Abraham is said to have returned with his young men, however is said about Isaac's having returned home with Abraham, after having experienced such a horrific experience. There are times when we are so determined to do good by maybe embarking on what seems to be a very grand spiritual or material ambition, that in the process we hurt those who are closest to us, sometimes without any such intention. Isaac may have been so traumatized by the ordeal that he now feared his father so much that he did not want to return home with him maybe out of fear and or anger at his father.
Abraham was super motivated in order to carry out God's will. As Christians we can ask our selves about our intentions and motivations, in favour of doing good and moreover as Christians in the task of carrying out God's will. A good instrument that is useful in order to perceive our level of motivation to do good is our level of happiness and also that of our inner circles, meaning our family and friends among others. Our spiritual happiness is reflected by our external acts and vice versa.
20. Now after these things it was told Abraham, "Milcah also borne children to your brother Nahor; 21. Uz the firstborn, Buz his brother, Kemuel the father of Aram, 22 Chesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidlaph and Bethuel." 23 Bethuel became the father of Rebekah. These eight Milcah bore to Nahor, Abraham's brother. 24. Moreover, his concubine, whose name was Reumah, bore Tebah, Gaham, Tahash, and Maacah.
(Genesis chapter 22 verses 20 to 24)
According to verses 20 to 24 which brings us to the end of this chapter God continued the unfolding of his plan for our salvation by introducing new characters, whom we shall meet in the following chapter that is Genesis chapter 23.
I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer;
Oh God thank you for intervening in my life. Thank you for your divine providence which has never ever been lacking throughout the years of my life. Thank you for intervening just at the right moment and time. Thank you for your perfect timing, that although is not always in synchronization with our timing in itself it is always perfect and precise. Thank You for giving life to people, who are key players in our lives and even serve as good examples and sign posts to us. People such as Pope Francesco among others.
At times God may ask of us requests that He does not ask society at large. This depends on our level of relationship with him. Previously God had asked me to leave everything and I thought that He wanted me to enter the priesthood. I lived two years in a convent at St. Augustines and one month with the brothers of Mother Theresa in Sicily, however in time God showed me that this form of life was not according to His will.
God wanted me to leave my past negative experiences and start living for Him and with Him. God wanted me to be alive, instead of only partially alive. However His call to live for Him as the top priority of my life, is not an easy task, especially when one is married, because one's attention care and time has to be shared, however even in such circumstances, God still needs to be given the top priority because without Him, nothing else matters and even marriages can fall apart.
In time God shows us the way that He expects us to take. A typical example is this blog. After I had a discussion with a leader of a Charismatic group during which I shared my wish with him to share prayer time online, he encouraged me to do so. At the time I did not know what a blog was or how to make one. After I discussed the issue with my nephew, he helped me out in making a blog and to this very day I am sharing my reflections online.
3. So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac; he cut the wood for the burnt offering, and set out and went to the place in the distance that God had shown him.
(Genesis chapter 22 verse 3)
We can just imagine what a sleepless night Abraham had thinking how God could ask of him the life of his beloved son, whom God Himself had previously promised to make a nation out of him. At times we do not understand, God's will and we may experience fear and anxiety. However, God always has a purpose for permitting things to happen and for asking us to perform particular actions.
4. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place far away. 5 Then Abraham said to his young men, " Stay here with the donkey; the boy and I will go over there; we will worship, and then we will come back to you."
(Genesis chapter 22 verses 4 to 5)
From far away Abraham saw the mountain on which God had asked him to offer his son. On His way to Calvary Jesus also viewed the mountain or hilltop on which He was to be offered as sacrifice for our salvation, however in faith neither of them turned back in regret. During the crises of our life we may also view those situations that are bound to be a source of pain and anguish, however although we are aware of the pain involved we still need to take the necessary actions even if this concerns issues of faith that put other matters such as our jobs at risk.
In faith Abraham shared with his men what was going to take place on the mountain. Jesus also explained what was going to happen to him so that when his death and resurrection would take place we would believe. As Christians we are the witnesses of Jesus on earth.
6. Abraham took the wood of the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. So the two of them walked on together. 7 Issac said to his father Abraham, "Father!" And he said, "Here I am, my son." He said, "The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?"
(Genesis chapter 22 verses 6 to 7)
At times the jig saw puzzles of our life seem to match the whole picture, however, there always seems to be the missing pieces, that only God has in his possession to make the picture complete and make sense as a whole.
8. Abraham said, "God himself will provide the lamb for a burnt offering my son." So the two of them walked on together.
(Genesis chapter 22 verse 8)
Abraham is indeed a pillar of faith, a signpost that we should follow in our daily lives. Although he was aware that God had asked him to offer his son as a burnt offering he still had the faith in God that He would spare his son and bestow on Isaac God's promise. However the message in his response is 'Do not worry my friend place your trust in God and trust in Him, God knows what we need and when we need it so do not fear', this is a message for us all.
9. When they came to the place that God had shown him, Abraham built an altar there laid the wood in order. He bound his son Isaac, and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood.
(Genesis chapter 22 verse 9)
On reflecting Abraham took great care to make God's offering nothing ever than perfectness. When describing the way that he laid the wood on the altar, the biblical author used terms such as 'in order' that is to describe the fact that Abraham did everything according to God's will. His obedience was reflected by and in everything he did. God is to be all in all for us, and in everything we do, we must take care to transmit our faith and Christian values.
10. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to kill 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 lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me."
(Genesis chapter 22 verses 10 to 12)
Verses ten to 12 tell us much about the loving nature of God, who is not in favour of violence or other forms of disorder. Moreover God appreciates when we reciprocate in obedience to God. God is always ready to cater for our needs, but on the other hand we are also expected to fulfill our role in God's plan for our salvation and not leave all the work for God to accomplish.
13. And Abraham looked up and saw a ram, caught in a thicket by its horns. Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called that place "The LORD will provide"; as it is said to this day, "On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided."
(Genesis chapter 22 verses 13 to 14)
As Abraham had prophetically spoken to Isaac God indeed provided the animal for the sacrifice instead of his son. At the right moment God intervenes on our behalf. In this respect I would like to share my own experience of such an intervention. I like to play 'Need For Speed World' an online game about car racing. I wished to get a car called Audi quattro but the deadline was close to have the cars changed, according to the monthly rotation. I really wished to have this car but I was pressed for time. I decided to buy another car via credit car, however the Audi was not among the list of available cars. To make a long story short, God intervened and along with the car that I bought there was the Audi that was given as a free car. I was totally amazed. Some may consider such events as coincidental however I have learnt to consider every situation as coming from God and I have never been disappointed by him.
15. The angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time from heaven, 16 and said, "By myself I have sworn, says the LORD; Because you have done this, and have not witheld your son, your only son, 17 I will indeed bless you, and I will make your offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of their enemies, 18 and by your offspring shall all the nations of the earth gain blessing for themselves, because you have obeyed my voice." 19 So Abraham returned to his young men, and they arose and went together to Beer-sheba; and Abraham lived at Beer-sheba.
(Genesis chapter 22 verses 15 to 19)
According to verses 15 to 19 of the twenty-second chapter it seems that Abraham was so intent to carry out God's will much to Isaac's horrific trauma that the angel of the LORD called Abraham for a second time and bid him to spare his son. Moreover even God Himself had to intervene by confirming the original promise made between Himself and Abraham in relation to his future and that of his future descendants.
On analyzing verse 19 we can infer that Abraham is said to have returned with his young men, however is said about Isaac's having returned home with Abraham, after having experienced such a horrific experience. There are times when we are so determined to do good by maybe embarking on what seems to be a very grand spiritual or material ambition, that in the process we hurt those who are closest to us, sometimes without any such intention. Isaac may have been so traumatized by the ordeal that he now feared his father so much that he did not want to return home with him maybe out of fear and or anger at his father.
Abraham was super motivated in order to carry out God's will. As Christians we can ask our selves about our intentions and motivations, in favour of doing good and moreover as Christians in the task of carrying out God's will. A good instrument that is useful in order to perceive our level of motivation to do good is our level of happiness and also that of our inner circles, meaning our family and friends among others. Our spiritual happiness is reflected by our external acts and vice versa.
20. Now after these things it was told Abraham, "Milcah also borne children to your brother Nahor; 21. Uz the firstborn, Buz his brother, Kemuel the father of Aram, 22 Chesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidlaph and Bethuel." 23 Bethuel became the father of Rebekah. These eight Milcah bore to Nahor, Abraham's brother. 24. Moreover, his concubine, whose name was Reumah, bore Tebah, Gaham, Tahash, and Maacah.
(Genesis chapter 22 verses 20 to 24)
According to verses 20 to 24 which brings us to the end of this chapter God continued the unfolding of his plan for our salvation by introducing new characters, whom we shall meet in the following chapter that is Genesis chapter 23.
I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer;
Oh God thank you for intervening in my life. Thank you for your divine providence which has never ever been lacking throughout the years of my life. Thank you for intervening just at the right moment and time. Thank you for your perfect timing, that although is not always in synchronization with our timing in itself it is always perfect and precise. Thank You for giving life to people, who are key players in our lives and even serve as good examples and sign posts to us. People such as Pope Francesco among others.
Thank You God
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