warm-up

Have you ever had a surprise delivery or unexpected gift? Who was it from? How did you feel?

Tell about a time you experienced a trust fall. How was the experience? Would you do it again?

Have you tried making a trade, or exchanging things without money? What did you trade? Was it worth it?

word

So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.” Genesis 22:14

(Read also Genesis 22:1–19.)

When Abraham here called God “The Lord will provide,” it wasn’t the sort of provision that first comes to mind, like food or clothing. In this story, Abraham had been instructed to offer his only son, Isaac, as a sacrifice, and God had provided a ram to be sacrificed in place of Isaac. God provided for Isaac’s redemption. In fact, the whole story foreshadowed how Christ’s death would redeem people from their sins. What can we learn from this story?

1
God revealed the need for redemption.

He said, “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

God had instructed Abraham to offer his son, Isaac. This event displayed both Abraham’s faith and man’s need for redemption. In those times, a sacrifice of the firstborn child was often done to different gods. But Abraham had faith that his God was not the same. He told the men who came with them that they would return, and told Isaac that God would provide a lamb for the burnt offering. The test also revealed man’s need for redemption. Alone, we can’t defeat sin or death. We need someone to redeem us and take the punishment for us. The sin we carry is so grave that we cannot get out of it ourselves. Has God ever asked you to do something you didn’t understand? When did you realize your need for a Redeemer?

2
God provides for our redemption.

⁸Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together. . . . ¹³And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. ¹⁴So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.” Genesis 22:8,13,14

God in His sovereignty and love then provided the ram for the sacrifice. He honored Abraham’s faith and obedience, and stopped him from sacrificing his son. God also provided a ram to be sacrificed as a burnt offering in Isaac’s place, to redeem Isaac. Later on, God sent His only Son, Jesus, to redeem us as the ultimate Lamb, to die in our place and take our sin and death upon Himself. What do John 1:29 and Revelation 5:9 say about Jesus as the Lamb of God? How has your life changed since you understood this great exchange?

application

Every single person is sinful and needs a Redeemer. Have you put your faith in Jesus as your Redeemer and Savior? Would you like to do so today?

What can you do differently as a result of hearing this lesson? How can you be in faith when God asks you to do something seemingly unreasonable?

Ask God to remind you of two people that you can pray for so they will understand man’s need for redemption and put their faith in God.

prayer

Thank God for His provision for our redemption. Pray to be reminded daily of the great exchange that took place on the cross.

Ask God for His strength to obey Him daily. Pray for greater faith in His love and provision, that He will provide what is needed to obey Him.

Pray for those among your friends, family, and community that need to hear about God’s provision of the ultimate Lamb. Pray that they would experience His great love and provision for our redemption.

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Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®)
Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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