The Grands Letter (Gen/GLJ)

Dear Grands,

Genesis 22:1-8, “Now it came about after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, ‘Abraham!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’”

2 He said, “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.”

3 So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him and Isaac his son; and he split wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him.

4 On the third day Abraham raised his eyes and saw the place from a distance.

5 Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey, and I and the lad will go over there; and we will worship and return to you.”

6 Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son, and he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So the two of them walked on together.

7 Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” And he said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”

8 Abraham said, “God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” So the two of them walked on together.”

What would we do if we were directed by the LORD to sacrifice one of our children? The LORD, of course, knew He was ultimately going to spare Isaac; but Abraham didn’t! Aren’t we thankful that the LORD doesn’t put us to such a test? Yes, we face tests of a similar nature. It’s just that here in Scripture we can read ahead and know both the LORD’s intention and the ultimate outcome. Do we believe Him when He orders us to behave in a strange and dangerous manner? We must remember that “God will provide for Himself…” His way is always best. Our trust must always reside in Him.

Psalm 37:5 says, “Commit your way to the LORD. Trust also in Him, and He will do it.”

Heartily yours in Christ,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need,

Until He becomes all that we have.”

– Corrie ten Boom