The Lord Will Provide

“Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son. And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided.” Then the Angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time out of heaven, and said: “By Myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son— blessing I will bless you” ~Genesis 22:13-17

Mount Moriah- The Lord Will Provide.

After waiting over a decade for his promised son, Abraham wakes up one morning to hear a surprising command from the Lord. God asks Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, the promised son. Imagine receiving this command about your child. The reaction might be fear, incredulity, and even anger. Why would the Lord take my son? However, Abraham simply and faithfully arose early to do as the Lord commanded. Abraham trusts God and His promises.

The Lord provides the place and the perfect sacrifice.

Upon reaching the peak of Mount Moriah, they very same peak upon which Christ will be crucified, Abraham prepares to sacrifice Isaac. Isaac notices that the lamb is missing. He asks his father the reason for this notable absence: “And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” This is prophetic. God will provide the Lamb, the one perfect, spotless Lamb by whose death will take the punishment for the sins of all.

The Lord stops Abraham and provides a ram to sacrifice rather than Isaac. A ram is not a lamb. The Lamb came thousands of years later on the same Mount- Moriah, where The-Lord-Will-Provide.

Which comes first? Obedience or faith? When we are obedient to God, it produces real faith. Also, we show faith in God by being obedient. The proof of faith is present in the fruit that a life produces, just as Abraham’s faith in God was evident in his willingness to do anything for God, no matter how irrational it seems because God will always provide. Isn’t that comforting?

May you walk in faith and obedience. May your actions declare a God who will provide as you walk according to His will.

Blessings,
Robert Furrow