Jehovah-Jirehគំរូ

Abraham responds to a test by acting in obedience to God’s command. 

To this jarring command that Abraham sacrifice his only son, the text records no second-guessing or argument on the part of Abraham. It simply notes that Abraham obeyed the command by getting up early the next morning, putting the supplies together that he needed for the sacrifice, and then “arose and went to the place of which God had told him” (Genesis 22:3). 

Abraham’s obedience, however, consisted of more than just preparations and a journey to the place: when he arrives at Mount Moriah he builds the altar, binds Isaac to it, and stretches out his hand with the knife to slay his son (Genesis 22:10). That is to say, that Abraham is not going through the motions and hoping that God will provide an exit plan; he is prepared to obey God completely, regardless of the costs and the outcomes. 

Steps of obedience are not a means by which he can control God and insure his holding on to the blessing (Isaac), but rather obedience to God and worship of Him is the end goal. Abraham loves and thus obeys the One who blesses more than he loves the blessing. 

Has God called you to sacrifice something for Him? If so, are you ready to make that sacrifice or are you still struggling with holding on to it?