Trust and Obey

"Abraham answered, "God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." And the two of them went on together." Genesis 22:8

A few days ago, while taking my son to school, a vehicle on the street caught my attention. It was an azure-blue pick-up truck with a big white inscription on the side, professionally done. It said "Jehovah-Jireh, God will provide." I wondered what type of person would put that in his car? The answer comes easy after reading the story of Abraham and Isaac.

In Genesis 22:2, God commands Abraham "Take your son, your only son, whom you love--Isaac--and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you." I have a lot of questions.

First of all, why? Abraham and Sarah waited years and years to have Isaac. God provided him in a miraculous way. Now God orders the father to kill his son.

What was Abraham thinking? I suppose the order came as a shock. I imagine him trying to make sense of it. He probably thought "this is a delusion; God doesn't really want me to sacrifice my son."

Should Abraham tell Sarah? The mother had the right to know what was going to happen to her only son. He didn't tell her.

Should Abraham tell Isaac? On the way to the mountain, Isaac asked his dad "we have the wood and the knife but where's the lamb?" He answered, "God will provide, my son."

Did Abraham really know God was going to provide? He didn't, but he needed to comfort his son somehow. Even then, he told him at the last minute.

Why didn't Isaac run away? He was young, strong and full of energy. Abraham was very old and tired. The boy could have easily gotten away, but he didn't escape.

God knows everything, the past and the future. He knew Abraham would pass this test, so why did He make him go through this horrible experience anyway?

I found the answer to all my questions in one of my favorite books, Patriarchs and Prophets by E. G White, chapter 13*. Abraham couldn't sleep that dreaded night, he even asked God for a sign to make sure that it was His voice he heard. He went on the journey of three days still waiting for confirmation, but nothing, dead silence from above. At last he believed that God was able to raise his son up, even from the dead. Abraham didn't tell his wife for fear that she might refuse the sacrifice. Isaac was her joy and pride; her life was bound up in him. When Isaac asked about the lamb his voice pierced Abraham's heart! But he could not tell him yet. Isaac learned his fate with terror and amazement, yet he offered no resistance.

Isaac had been trained from childhood to trust and obey. He was a partaker in Abraham's faith, and he felt that he was honored in being called to give his life as an offering to God. He even encouraged his grieving father to bind the cords that attached him to the altar.

God commanded Abraham to slay his son so that he might understand from his own experience a little of the sacrifice made by God for man's redemption. It was also for the instruction of the beings of heaven and other worlds. God desired to prove the loyalty of His servant before all heaven, to demonstrate that nothing less than perfect obedience can be accepted, and to open more fully before them the plan of salvation.

Someone who writes "Jehovah-Jireh" on his or her car is a person that has developed a personal relationship with God. They're someone who trusts in His voice even when there are a lot of questions and no answers. Someone who obeys His voice even when it doesn't make sense. Someone who is willing to sacrifice their most precious possession for Him.

As the new year continues to unfold, God desires to have a personal relationship with you. Are you willing to get rid of anything that hinders it? Are you ready to trust and obey His voice?

1
When we walk with the Lord
in the light of his word,
what a glory he sheds on our way!
While we do his good will,
he abides with us still,
and with all who will trust and obey.

Refrain
Trust and obey, for there's no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

2
Not a shadow can rise,
not a cloud in the skies,
but his smile quickly drives it away;
not a doubt nor a fear,
not a sigh nor a tear,
can abide while we trust and obey.

3
Not a burden we bear,
not a sorrow we share,
but our toil he doth richly repay;
not a grief or a loss,
not a frown or a cross,
but is blest if we trust and obey.

4
But we never can prove
the delights of his love
until all on the altar we lay;
for the favor he shows,
and the joy he bestows,
are for them who will trust and obey.

5
Then in fellowship sweet
we will sit at his feet,
or we'll walk by his side in the way;
what he says we will do,
where he sends we will go;
never fear, only trust and obey.

Words by J. H Sammis

*Read the whole chapter from Patriarchs and Prophets at https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/84.584#584