This last great story of Abraham appears to mirror the first. When Abraham’s story begins, the Lord appears to Abram and commands him to leave his relatives behind and go to the land he will show him. A bit bizarre, to leave home not knowing where you are going. But God asked Abraham to trust, and he did. Here God commands Abraham to leave his home and travel to Mount Moriah to do something even crazier – to sacrifice his son. Again, God asks Abraham to trust.
The Book of Hebrews tells us that since God had promised Isaac would be the child from whom he would become a great nation, Abraham reasoned that God would resurrect Isaac after he was sacrificed. This is confirmed by this verse. When he left the servant to go sacrifice Isaac, Abraham stated with confidence that “we” will return. And they did. Not because of resurrection, but because God provided a ram as a substitute sacrifice.
This last great story is brimming with perspective for us to embrace. No doubt Abraham was grateful and thankful when the ram was substituted. Jesus is our sacrificial lamb, who died in our place. A perspective of profound gratitude is an appropriate foundation for every day.
Abraham’s willingness to trust God’s resurrection power led to his life’s greatest testimony. As believers after Pentecost, we have been filled with God’s resurrection power. By walking in that power, we can walk in Abraham’s shoes, and display God’s power to those around us.
In each instance this requires an initial step to leave a place of comfort, and journey to a place to which God calls us. Like Abraham, our next opportunity to trust is not far away. But also like Abraham, God has given us promises upon which to found our trust.