The Ultimate Sacrifice! Hebrews 11:13-19/Genesis 22:1-19

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1 The Ultimate Sacrifice! Hebrews 11:13-19/Genesis 22:1-19 Message by Michael Barnard August 6, 2017 Teaching Aim: To examine how Abraham responded to the biggest test of his life. To recognize God never tempts us to do evil, but He does test us in order to develop our character and to help us grow spiritually. To realize Abraham nearly sacrificing Isaac on the altar was a foreshadow (or type) of what God the Father would ultimately have to do with His only begotten Son Jesus! DIGGING DEEPER INTO GOD S WORD (BIBLE STUDY) Part I: As pilgrims on earth, we are to keep our eyes on our heavenly home (Heb. 11:13-19) 1. Who is being referred to as these all in verse 13? What promises did God make to Abraham in the Abrahamic Covenant? (See Gen. 13:14-16; 15:2-7) According to verse 13, how did the Patriarchs live on earth? Why is it important for each of us to follow the example of the Patriarchs today? Why is materialism a danger to every Christian today? 2. What country were the Patriarchs waiting for (vv )? Do you think Abraham ever became discouraged and considered returning to Haran or Ur of the Chaldeans? Have you ever become so discouraged that you were tempted to walk away from Christ? What were the Hebrew Christians going through at the time of this writing? 3. Abraham, Sarah, Isaac and Jacob realized the world was not their permanent home. What were they looking for (vs. 16)? How does God respond to those who put their trust in Him (vs. 16)? What is the biblical name for this city whose foundations and maker is God? (See Rev. 21) 4. The writer of Hebrews was encouraging Hebrew Christians to remain faithful to Christ and not go back to the dead works of the law. Why do you think so many discouraged Hebrew Christians were considering going back into Judaism? Is there any other way to salvation than by grace through faith in Jesus Christ? (John 3:16; 14:6; Acts 4:12; Eph. 2:8-9) 1

2 5. According to verses 17 & 18, how did Abraham respond to this test from God? Did Abraham literally offer Isaac on the altar or in a figurative sense (vs. 19)? Up to this point in the Bible, no resurrections had ever occurred. What can we learn about the faith of Abraham from verse 19? Part II: God s troubling command to Abraham (Gen. 22:1-8) 1. At this time, Abraham had two sons, Ishmael (whose mother was the Egyptian maidservant Hagar), and Isaac (who was the child of promise with Sarah.) Abraham and Sarah became impatient waiting on God and so tried to help Him the result was Ishmael. Who was Ishmael s mother and how is the birth of Ishmael still negatively affecting the Jews today? Have you ever run into trouble by jumping ahead of God? How? 2. What did Sarah do to Ishmael and Hagar in Gen. 21:8-13? How did this affect Abraham? What was God s response to Abraham s heartache (vv )? Why was it important for Ishmael to leave? 3. Genesis 22:1 begins with the words after these things. After what things? Once Ishmael and Hagar departed, Abraham had only one son, the child of promise. What did God do following this change in Abraham s household? What is the difference between a test and being tempted (See Jam. 1:13-15) 4. What command did God give to Abraham in verse 2 that would rattle any parent? Notice the words, your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love. How did God use these words to heighten the drama of the moment? Is human sacrifice something God approves of? (See Deut. 12:30-32; Lev. 20:1-2) Why do you think God commanded Abraham to sacrifice his only begotten son as a burnt offering in the land of Moriah? 5. What major city is in the land of Moriah today? What was located on Mount Moriah? (See 2 Chron. 3:1) What structure sits on the spot today? When was this structure built and by whom? 2

3 6. How did Abraham respond to the horrifying command from God (vs. 3)? Why do you think Abraham got up early in the morning, saddled his donkey and split the wood himself? Have you ever been put in a position where you had to choose between God and someone you love? Which did you choose? 7. The journey north from Beersheba was approximately 50 miles and took three days. What thoughts do you think were running through Abraham s mind as he travelled? Do you think Isaac had any idea what was about to happen? 8. Why do you think Abraham had his servants remain with the donkey (vs. 5)? According to verse 5, Abraham considered the act he was about to do as an act of worship. Why? How do we see the great faith of Abraham demonstrated in verse 5? 9. What can we learn about Isaac s age from verses 6 & 12? In verse 6, the wood was laid on Isaac, he was to carry it to his death. Who else would later carry wood to a place on the same mountain where He would be sacrificed? (See John 19:17-42) 10. What emotions do think Abraham experienced as he watched Isaac carry the wood to the place he would be sacrificed (vs. 6)? What two instruments of death did Abraham carry? What troubled Isaac on his way up Mount Moriah (vs. 7)? How did Abraham respond to Isaac s concern (vs. 8)? Do you think that Abraham believed that from the bottom of his heart? Part III: Abraham s faith and love for God confirmed (Gen. 22:9-19) 1. What did Abraham do once he and his son arrived on top of Mount Moriah (vs. 9)? Would this seem unusual to Isaac? What did seem unusual to Isaac? Why do you think Isaac didn t run or fight his elderly father off? Who else does this remind you of? (See Luke 22:42) 3

4 2. Abraham was used to slaying animals, but he never dreamed he would be asked by God to slay his son. What do you think Abraham was thinking as he raised the knife for the kill (vs. 10)? Do you think Abraham would have done it? What stopped the imminent death of Isaac (vs. 11)? Why the repetition of Abraham s name? 3. What command is given to Abraham in verse 12? Here the Angel of the LORD gives us the reason for the test, what is it? What did Abraham see as he lifted his eyes? Was this just by chance, or was this God s providence in action? The concept of substitutionary atonement is introduced here in verse 13. What is meant by the phrase substitutionary atonement? 4. What name did Abraham give to this place in Jerusalem? What Jewish structure would later be built right on this very spot (vs. 14)? Notice a ram was provided, not a lamb. When would the ultimate Lamb be provided? (See John 1:29b) Verse 14 says, In the Mount of the LORD it shall be provided. How did Jesus Christ fulfill the faith of Abraham that God would provide the lamb? (See John 8:56) 5. The Abrahamic Covenant is once again renewed in verses What new element is added in verse 17? Which Jewish leader would fulfill this? (See Commentaries) 6. Verse 18 says, In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice. How? 7. Did Abraham s words to his servants in verse 5 come true (vs. 19)? Where did the men head once they rejoined the young men? How many years did they have to wait until the substitution of the Lamb of God would become a reality? (Hint: Google it!) 8. How do we become a Christian today? (See John 3:16; Acts 16:31) 4

5 MINER S CORNER ~ Manna to live by! Abraham, Sarah, Isaac and Jacob died in faith, only seeing God s promises partially fulfilled! Each of them lived in this world as pilgrims, they remained faithful to God as they looked ahead to their heavenly home! God promised Abraham that his descendants would be as innumerable as the sand of the seashore and the stars of the sky, but this promise would be fulfilled only through Isaac! God tested Abraham s faith by commanding him to travel to the land of Moriah (modern Jerusalem) and offer his one and only son Isaac on the altar as a burnt sacrifice! God never intended Abraham to kill his son; the test was for Abraham s benefit demonstrating there was nothing more important in his life than his relationship with God! God stopped Abraham, but several centuries later when God s own Son was on the altar (the cross), there was no one to shout stop! Jesus, the Lamb of God died on the cross as our substitute, making atonement for our sins! 5