3 Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. 4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5 He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.” 6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, 7 Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” 8 Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together. 9 When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. 12 “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” (Genesis 22:3-12, New International Version)
Theme: Rejoicing and Thanksgiving
Context:
This week we will focus on the disciplines of Worship and Fellowship. We will start with Worship.
At the heart of biblical worship is an attitude of submission/obedience to God. Worship, therefore, extends beyond time spent at church. As we submit to God in worship in our daily lives, we experience God’s faithfulness and rejoicing and thanksgiving are natural outcomes.
Bible Passage:
In our Bible passage today, a Hebrew word shachah, translated as worship, is used for the first time in the Bible (verse 5). In this popular story, Abraham is prepared to make an unbelievable sacrifice as an act of obedience. What is even more amazing though, is how God saves the day. Without question, Abraham’s obedience was repaid with abundant supply, which led to rejoicing and thanksgiving.
Please study the passage and consider the question below.
Question:
How does Abraham’s commitment to obedience inspire you to worship?
Please leave a comment. We would love to hear from you.
March 13, 2023 at 5:12 am
This is an amazing and awesome story of obedience and faithfulness. Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac is an amazing illustration of obedience. When he tells his servants that he and Isaac are going to worship, this is an awesome illustration of Abraham’s obedience and commitment to fulfill God’s instructions, as he sees the sacrificing of his son as worship! God keeps His promises. His faithfulness inspires me to worship Him. Obedience to God, allows for his blessings to flow.
March 13, 2023 at 7:26 am
Shows me what I must do.
Submit!
March 13, 2023 at 7:37 am
Obedience to God shows my faith and trust in Him, exactly what Abraham demonstrated which led to his attitude of worship and the blessings that followed. This encourages me to seek to find ways of worship in my ever day life.
March 13, 2023 at 7:59 am
Abraham’s obedience and the results further encourages me to have total faith in God. The blessings that will result will be cause for thanksgiving and praise.
March 13, 2023 at 6:03 pm
Abraham is an inspiration by his obedience to act on God‘s command with a faithful heart, despite not knowing the outcome. On some level, he believed God would take care of his son. Whether that meant a replacement as a sacrifice or resurrecting his son, or seeing him in heaven at a later date. In my moment to hesitancy to obey I should remember Abraham’s obedience and God’s provision.
March 13, 2023 at 8:10 pm
I think its mind boggling what Abraham did. When this story comes up I often wonder what I would do if I were in his shoes. Did God give Abraham this supernatural faith? Or did he learn to trust God throughout his walk having been tested and witnessed God’s provision time and time again? I can only surmise faith this big must be a gift of the Holy Spirit!
March 13, 2023 at 9:15 pm
Abraham’s obedience to God is the best example to emulate. God bestows blessings to His obedient children. The more we obey Him , the more we will be blessed and the relationship with the Lord is the best relationship one can ever have. The bible says,” If you abide in me , I will abide in you.”