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?
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