This morning, the family of Emmaus Road Church worshiped the Lord at the Indian Springs Resort on the west side of American Falls, Idaho.  We concluded a three day camp-out.

First, Pastor Beau took us to the story of Sarai and Hagar in Genesis 16.  Barren Sarai tells Abraham to take Hagar as an additional wife in hopes that Abraham might have a child.  Abraham listens and acts upon Sarai’s advice.  As a result, Ishmael (“God hears”) is conceived.  Hagar then treats Sarai with contempt, so Sarai deals harshly with her.  Hagar flees into the wilderness, where the angel of the LORD comforts her.  She called the name of the LORD who spoke to her:

You are a God of seeing

Hagar said,

Truly here I have seen him who looks after me.

And the well was called Beer-lahai-roi (the well of the Living One who sees me).

Second, Pastor Beau took us to the main passage for his message, Genesis 22:1-19, the binding of Isaac  by his father Abraham in the land of Moriah.  Mount Moriah is a significant place.  We learn later in 2 Chronicles 3:1 that King Solomon builds the Temple on Mount Moriah.  Moriah is the place where “it will be seen”; it is the place of revelation.

At the very moment that Abraham was going take a knife to slaughter his son, God prevents him. Abraham lifts his eyes.  He sees that God has provided a ram.  The Bible says in verse 14:

So Abraham called the name of that place, “The LORD will provide (or will see)”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided (or he will be seen).”

Third, Pastor Beau brought out how all this beautifully foreshadows the perfect Lamb to come, who in the area of Moriah would be lovingly offered up as the substitutionary atonement for our sins.  Our God sees us in our destitution, and He provides.  “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain” (Revelation 5:12).

My questions related to the text in Genesis 22:1-19 (ESV) . . .

Observation (questions for the head)

1. What is the command that God gave to Abraham in verse 2?
2. How did Abraham respond to God in verse 3?
3. What day did Abraham lift up his eyes and see (verse 4)?
4. What did Abraham declare by faith in verse 8?
5. What is noted about Isaac’s sonship to his father?

Interpretation (questions for the head and heart)

1. Was it God’s intention for Abraham to kill his son?
2. Did God approve of the human sacrifices that were common in Canaanite religions?
3. Can we appease God through inflicting pain upon ourselves or through our own moral efforts?
4. Is there anything significant about the third day in verse 4?
5. Does it appear that Isaac voluntarily submitted himself to his father, Abraham?
6. Where is verse 18 quoted in the New Testament?

Application (questions for the heart and hands)

1. Tell us a past story of how God has provided for you.
2. Do you believe that God sees everything you are feeling and thinking?  Do you see Him bigger than all of your present circumstances?  What is He revealing to you about Himself?
3. What are you asking Him to provide for you this week?
4. How has it been difficult for you to trust Him?
5. Concerning the greatest treasures that you hold dear to your heart, can you trust God like Abraham?
6. How is it that you have full provision in Jesus?