The Son of Promise
Sarah, Abraham’s wife remained childless, so according to the custom of the day she gave her servant Hagar to Abraham and he had a son, Ishmael, by Hagar. Some thirteen years later God told Abraham that he would now have a son by Sarah, and Ishmael would not inherit the promises made to Abraham. Though Abraham was now 100 years old, and Sarah 90, God was true to His promise, and Isaac was miraculously born. (Genesis 16:1-6, Genesis 17:15-21)
Abraham had waited twenty-five years for the promised son, but a day came when God told Abraham to take Isaac to the land of Moriah and offer him there as a burnt offering. Abraham again obeyed God, bound Isaac, and laid him on the altar, but as Abraham raised the knife to slay his son God spoke to him, saying Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God since you have not withheld your son, your only son from Me. (Genesis 22:1-13) Raising his eyes, Abraham saw a ram caught in the thicket. He sacrificed the ram instead of Isaac.
God had tested Abraham, but He had also revealed His heart and His plan of redemption. His heart, because God would one day, like Abraham, lead His one and only Son that He loved, Jesus, to the place of sacrifice on Calvary. His plan, because Christ was also the ram that God provided as a sacrifice in our place,that we like Isaac might live. (Philippians 2:1-11; John 10:1-18; Matthew 26:36-46)
Discovery Bible Studies
Lesson #10: The Son of Promise
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- Sarai (Sarah) was unable to bear children, so according to the custom of the day she gave her maid, Hagar, to Abraham to have a child by her.
- How well did this work out for Abraham and Sarah?
- What can we learn from this and apply to our Christian lives?
- What was God’s new promise to Abraham and Sarah?
- What was Abraham’s response?
- How old were Abraham and Sarah?
- Look ahead to Genesis 18:14. What does this tell us about God?
- Did Abraham obey God? Why did God stop Abraham from sacrificing Isaac?
- What does it mean that Abraham feared God? How did he express that fear?
- How was verse eight fulfilled in this story?
- Looking forward to Jesus and the new covenant, how was verse eight fulfilled for us?
- What from Abraham can we learn about the Father’s heart for His Son, and what it cost Him to send Jesus to the cross?
- Compare Isaac’s obedience to Abraham in being sacrificed with Jesus’ obedience in going to the cross.
Additional passages for study: Philippians 2:1-11; John 10:1-18; Matthew 26:36-46
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