A Daddy’s Love

Someone asked me if I could talk to one person from my past, who would it be. Without a doubt it would be my daddy. I ran many years behind in realizing how much he loved me, how brilliant he was, how he sacrificed for me and what good advice he gave me. Usually we do not think much of a father’s love; we think more of his discipline or instruction, yet the first time “love” is mentioned in the Bible, it is a father’s love.

“And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.” Genesis 22:1-2

Abraham is called upon to sacrifice Isaac. This is the first time that “lovest” (love) was mentioned in the Bible. Note that God calls Isaac, Abraham’s “only son.” Ishmael was not then, and never was included in God’s redemptive program. Think what a sacrifice God has asked Abraham to make. Abraham has waited 25 years for this boy (compare Genesis 11:4 with Genesis 21:5.) Isaac is now 14-15 years old; he is big enough to carry wood up a mountain (Genesis 22:6.) Before I go any further, note Abraham’s instructions to his young men:

“And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.” Genesis 22:5

Abraham told the young men that he and Isaac were going up the mountain to worship and that they would “come again.” Can you grasp this? Abraham is going to kill Isaac and yet they are going to come back! Notice the faith of Abraham.

“By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.” Hebrews 17-19

Abraham trusted God so much that he believed that if he killed Isaac as a sacrifice, God would resurrect him!

Our heavenly Father is asking an earthly father to do exactly what He did years later…give His only Son.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

By the way, this verse is the first time that God revealed that He loved anyone besides Israel.
 

This fascinating story continues. When Abraham and Isaac arrived at the top of the mountain to perform the sacrifice, Isaac questioned his daddy.

“And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Genesis 22:7

Abraham’s answer is splendid!

“And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.” Genesis 22:8

Observe that Abraham did not say that God would provide for Himself a lamb, but that God would provide Himself…God in the flesh, Jesus Christ.

Now it is “crunch time.” Abraham builds an altar, binds Isaac and lays him down. Isaac does not resist. What tension there must have been.

“And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.” Genesis 22:10

Then Abraham heard from heaven. What a blessing! As Abraham heeded to the angel’s voice, he heard something in the bushes. Was it the “lamb” God promised? No, it was a “ram” (Genesis 22:13.) There is a whole lot of difference between a “lamb” and a “ram.”

Abraham offered the “ram” instead of Isaac (Genesis 22:13.) The “lamb” did not appear until years later.

“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29

Yes, God did provide Himself a Lamb! 

I thank God for a Christian daddy. Most of all, I thank God for a heavenly Father.

Have a good Father’s Day.

Keep Looking Up! 

Leland Maples