Bible Reflections From Scripture Union Volume OneSample

The Figurative Resurrection Read Genesis 22:1-24 So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, "On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided." Genesis 22:14 We saw in Chapter 20 that Abraham showed a lack of trust in God by telling a half-truth to Abimelech. Abraham learnt his lesson and he now exhibited complete trust in God. Today’s passage is a classic text that has played a central role in both Christian and Jewish (The Akedah or ‘Binding of Issac’) tradition. It is in fact a narrative that is at the heart of the Biblical message. While most of us easily empathise with Abraham’s struggle to sacrifice the son of promise, we find it difficult to understand why he had ‘blindly’ obeyed God’s command without even entreating for Isaac’s life. After all, he had compassionately entreated for Sodom and Gomorrah, whose citizens committed 'grievous sins'. Remembering that Abraham had 'lost' his other son Ishmael in Chapter 21, we notice that the text emphasises that Isaac was now his only son (v 2). How could Abraham justify his unquestioned obedience? The answer is found in Hebrews 11:19: Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death (Hebrews 11:19). The unquestioned obedience of Abraham in regards to his firstborn was based on his conviction in God’s power to raise the dead. And so the Akedah parallels the work of Christ. Notice how similar this passage is to the words of Romans 8:32:He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all–how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Jesus is the firstborn among the dead (1 Corinthians 15:20, 23, Colossians 1:18). Through Him, the promises given to Abraham are extended to all who believe in Him. Thank God that we are chosen to participate in the final resurrection.