Day 23

He received him back

To Start

Sit quietly and clear your mind. If this is still difficult for you, consider changing your spot. You might try a closet or a corner, somewhere protected from distractions. (I often pray in the pantry.)

Pray

Yahweh, open my eyes to see You. Open my mind to understand You more than I currently do.

Write

Copy Hebrews 11:17-23 onto an index card. Keep it with you this week. You still have time to memorize the chapter! Author and storyteller Martin Shaw says reading a line 17 times is enough to cement it in your memory. That’s doable, right?

Hebrews 11:17-23 (CSB)

¹⁷ By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac. He received the promises and yet he was offering his one and only son, ¹⁸ the one to whom it had been said, Your offspring will be traced through Isaac. ¹⁹ He considered God to be able even to raise someone from the dead; therefore, he received him back, figuratively speaking.

²⁰ By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. ²¹ By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and he worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. ²² By faith Joseph, as he was nearing the end of his life, mentioned the exodus of the Israelites and gave instructions concerning his bones.

²³ By faith Moses, after he was born, was hidden by his parents for three months, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they didn’t fear the king’s edict.

Read

Read Hebrews 11:17-19 (I know you just read these verses in context, but we’re zeroing in on this shorter passage now).

As you read…

• Ask Yahweh to show you His heart

• What does “tested” mean? What is Yahweh trying to accomplish with this test?

• What does Abraham believe about Yahweh?

• Consider the word “therefore” in verse 19. What does it signify?

• How does this story overlap with the story of Yahweh offering His one and only son? What similarities do you see?

Hebrews 11:17-19 (CSB)

¹⁷ By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac. He received the promises and yet he was offering his one and only son, ¹⁸ the one to whom it had been said, Your offspring will be traced through Isaac. ¹⁹ He considered God to be able even to raise someone from the dead; therefore, he received him back, figuratively speaking.

From JL

There’s so much to say about this moment in Abraham’s life. It’s a story about a father who loves his son but not so much (so blindly?) that he wouldn’t give him up should love demand it. It’s an extraordinary act of faith, and it’s a prescient look at the coming cross and resurrection.

Abraham plays the part of our Father in this story. What an honor. And what a burden.

It’s only possible by faith.

I’m writing this missive today from Cape May, New Jersey (it’s a few days before this post will drop). I’m here for my daughter’s graduation from US Coast Guard basic training. She was 17 when we sent her—still a girl. She turned 18 in boot camp. We’ve talked to her on the phone recently. She is so obviously a woman.

London’s here, because she is absolutely certain God asked her to join the Coast Guard, and she refused to refuse. On Friday she’ll graduate by faith.

During worship on the last Sunday we had her at home I found myself praying. It’s a very hard thing to let your child grow up and leave—a harder thing (perhaps) when growing up means putting her life on the line for the safety and security of others—so obviously I’d been crying off and on for a few weeks. But this Sunday I sang praises to God with a different kind of wet cheeks. These tears weren’t grief; they were gratitude.

All of a sudden I was struck by images, memories that weren’t mine but in a way were. I “remembered” Hannah bringing little Samuel to the tabernacle to serve—this child she’d wanted so desperately. I thought of the long months I spent waiting for London, the miscarriages, the unfounded hope. And then the treasure of a child.

And then I saw Abraham and Isaac climbing up the mountain. Was there ever a child more wanted than Isaac? Was there ever a child more generously given?

Only one.

I thought of Him, too. Of His Father, willing to give Him up but also waiting excitedly to lift Him up and rule with Him forever.

I found myself praying, “Yahweh, thank You for giving me something precious enough to offer You.” It’s a privilege to give God what He’s given you. Especially when what He’s given you is the light of your life.

We just got a call from London. Snow’s coming through the area, and it looks like we’ll all be stranded if we stay the weekend here on the Cape. The Coast Guard needs her in Virginia on Monday, so she may not get the 30 hours of liberty she’s been anticipating.

I’ve been planning those thirty hours for the last 10 weeks. Justin’s making pot pie. Eve bought fancy shampoo so London could take a long, luxurious shower. I picked the exact perfect place to stay so she could watch the ocean from the couch. We packed every present under the tree into two checked bags, so we could celebrate Christmas together.

But now maybe we won’t. If we don’t, I’ll have to muddle through somehow.

I know how.

By faith.

-

Post Script: Five hours after I wrote this London called and said she’d been granted full liberty.

Therefore, I received her back…

Suggested Resource

Recently, Holy Ghost Stories tackled the story of Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac. It’s quickly become a fan favorite. Why? I think it has something to do with the moral complexity of the test. What kind of God asks His beloved son to sacrifice his beloved son? That’s a question best answered by a story. If you haven’t listened yet, it’s worth your time. (This episode also paints a powerful picture of the concept of a “test.”)

Pray

Yahweh, show me what I need to offer up. Give me faith to believe I’ll receive it back.

Keep my eyes on the cross. Root my hope in resurrection.

In the Comments

What do you think Yahweh feels in the moment when Abraham is just about to sacrifice Isaac? Probably a few things. Ask Him to show you His heart and share what you notice with the group.

Godspeed,

JL