Online Bible Audio/Readings Links (ESV)
1/21 Reading Portions: Genesis 22; Matthew 21; Nehemiah 11; Acts 21
Listen to the audio devotional above, and/or read the written devotional below.
“Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” Genesis 22:2
LOVE
In past devotionals and sermons I’ve delivered, I’ve mentioned the many parallels presenting the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ from this prophetic episode recorded in Genesis 22. Today, it would be best to meditate upon one particular aspect of this chapter: love.
As many of you know, Genesis 22 is the first time the word love is used in the Bible (Gen 22:2), the Hebrew word אָהַב (a-HAV); and appropriately so, as this episode is a prophetic foreshadow of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ— a father, Abraham, sacrificing his only son, Isaac, whom he loves; and this, according to God’s command.
The unbelieving world is clueless as to what true love is. Sadly, many professing Christians want to buy into unbiblical psychobabble to define love, viz., “Love is a choice” or “Love is a verb” and so on. The Bible tells us,
God is love. 1 John 4:8
Therefore, our understanding of love must be rooted and grounded in the nature and character of God. Love must be defined by God’s revelation of Himself from Scripture. Love therefore, is ultimately revealed in the person and work of His only Son, Jesus Christ— who is God incarnate.
When we consider this first prophetic episode where love is mentioned, have we truly considered the depth, breadth, length, and height of love? Abraham— a type of God the Father— takes the very treasure of His heart, Isaac— a type of God the Son— to the mount where Jesus would be crucified years later, and then sacrifice Him there according to YHVH God’s command to him. Jesus Christ, without a single jot of sin or iota of disobedience, freely laid down His life— and offered that life for the glory of His heavenly Father. What amazing love! While the corruptions of our flesh will cause us to view life with mediocrity more often than not, there are moments like these, when the Spirit illuminates Christ Jesus, the Son, and our heavenly Father. It erupts in our hearts with the utmost joy, for…
God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
