THE PEOPLE IN THE BEGINNING: ISAAC

After traveling for three days, Abraham and Isaac found themselves at the foot of Mount Moriah, later called Mount Calvary. They had come to worship the Living God.

“Then Abraham said to his young men, ‘Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go over there to worship; then we’ll come back to you.’ Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and laid it on his son Isaac. In his hand he took the fire and the knife, and the two of them walked on together. Then Isaac spoke to his father Abraham and said, ‘My father.’ And he replied, ‘Here I am, my son.’ Isaac said, ‘The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?’ Abraham answered, ‘God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.’ Then the two of them walked on together” (Genesis 22:5-8).

Abraham, well over one-hundred years old, was ready and willing to make an unimaginable sacrifice… he would give his only son. At God’s invitation, Abraham made the preparation, he made the long journey, he was obedient. He was prepared to offer up his one and only son, the miraculous gift given by God in Abraham’s old age. “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac” (Hebrews 11:17).

Yes. But let’s think about Isaac. Although the Scriptures don’t reveal Isaac’s age, we can deduce that he wasn’t a toddler. He was strong enough to carry the firewood, presumably a heavy burden. Surely, he could have out-fought or out-run a centenarian. He was quite capable of refusing to be bound upon the altar.

Isaac offered himself. No fight. No flight.

Like Abraham, God the Father offered His one and only Son (John 3:16).

Like Isaac, Jesus offered Himself without fight or flight.

“I lay down my life so that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have the right to lay it down, and I have the right to take it up again” (John 10:17–18). “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). “Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God” (Ephesians 5:2).

Thank you, Jesus!

“… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).