Fear No Fear

(All scripture from the World English Bible, ebible.org, all rights reserved)

“Isaac spoke to Abraham his father, and said, “My father?” He said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “Here is the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham said, “God will provide himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they both went together. They came to the place which God had told him of. Abraham built the altar there, and laid the wood in order, bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar, on the wood.“

(Genesis 22:7-9)

Because Abraham was willing to offer his son and because Isaac was willing to be offered (he was between 16 and 30 years old, and probably older rather than younger), The Father was JUST in offering His and Jesus was JUST in being willing to be offered. This was a COVENANT transaction. Also, Abraham wasn’t sad about it because he was holding to the promise of God that through Isaac Abraham would have many descendants. Since Isaac hadn’t had children yet, Abraham KNEW that there was a future for Isaac. Abraham was willing to sacrifice Isaac because he was CERTAIN of the promise – even though he didn’t know how it was going to play out (there is evidence he was expecting a resurrection from death for Isaac – Hebrews 11:17-19). When questioned by Isaac, Abraham looked to that promise for certainty. Abraham BELIEVED. He had no details, but he BELIEVED that promise. Isaac also believed that promise, or he would never have gotten onto that altar (it isn’t like Abraham could have forced him). This BELIEF in the covenant enabled God to uphold HIS part and FULFILL the covenant.

“Jesus went about in all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people. The report about him went out into all Syria. They brought to him all who were sick, afflicted with various diseases and torments, possessed with demons, epileptics, and paralytics; and he healed them“

(Matthew 4:23-24)

Jesus was the son of the promise. Jesus was the answer to Isaac’s question. He was tempted just like we were (desire of the flesh, of the eyes, and the pretensions of life). But Jesus held to the PROMISE of why He was sent and why He volunteered (Hebrews 12:2). Because Jesus did that, He was able to go about and begin being the FULFILLMENT of that promise: bringing BLESSING first to the Jew and then to the Gentile.

Summary

The covenants of God are always meant to be a benefit to humanity. Because Abraham understood that and participated in that, God was justified in performing His side. In fulfilling the covenant that humanity not only agreed with, but held up their end. Because God looks to work THROUGH humanity to enact His will. Jesus’ sacrifice was no exception. It was accomplished spiritually before the world was created (Revelation 13:8), but they still chose to need a human to hold to it. Abraham was tested because God knew how hard he held onto the promise of his son. God KNEW he would pass, so He allowed the test. Because Abraham passed, Jesus got to opportunity to do the same (2 Corinthians 1:20).