Abraham’s Dedication / Genesis 22:1-18

Abraham’s Dedication / Genesis 22:1-18

Preliminary Note

Not any event cannot stand alone. Every event in the history of salvation has a certain cause and effect.
Abraham had committed countlessly repeated unbelief until he had Isaac, who is his only son of his blood-line in his age of 100 years.

1. What is 헌신?

    

   1. In English, we call dedication, devotion or consecration. All meanings are melted in the OT language of 헌신.
   2. In Bible, “DEDICATION. The term is used in the OT almost exclusively of the consecration of things, e.g. the altar (Nu. 7:10), silver and gold (2 Sa. 8:11). Three Heb. words are used: ḥ^anukkâ, ‘consecration’; qōḏeš, ‘a thing separated, hallowed’, hērem, a thing devoted to God.” (New Bible Dictionary)^[1]
   3. So, it has three ways of expression: offering, holiness and giving (devotion)

2.  Core of Dedication.

   1. The core of dedication in the history of salvation is “offering of sacrifice.”
   2. The first sacrifice is Abel’s offering(Genesis 4). And, the most biblical and clear picture of offering of sacrifice is of Abraham (Genesis 22).

3. The overlapping context of sacrifice offering.

   1. Abraham lives in the mess of sin and grace in his past history.
      1. He attempted to cheat her wife several times, lied and acquired many possessions by inappropriate means. He designated Ishmael his son from Hagar (Sarah’s maid), but recanted his decision before his tribe and casted his son out to dessert to die.
      2. He did not have any of his heir until he was 99 years old. But, frequently he was confirmed to have a promised heir by God’s promise.
         (e.g. Genesis 15: 5. Look up at the heavens and count the stars–if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be. Gen. 15:7. (God swears His promise by His own life and name) “I am the LORD, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to take possession of it.”)
      3. God blessed his business in the unique successful market: He multiplied his possessions by herding animals in the mountains. No one wanted to build town in the mountain but him. He built his own tribal nation in the mountain areas when tribal wars continued in the plains of Palestine.
      4. This may be the same picture to  us who are living in this era.
   2. God’s grace and blessing looked dimming light for Abraham.
      1. For Abraham, the promise looked obscure. The promise of his heir did not fulfilled for more than 40 years. His tribe does not grow faster than other tribal countries in the plain (Sodom, Gomorah…)
      2. But, he held on to the promise of God by faith. And, it became a great credit before God. (Gen. 15.6) Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.
   3. Sometimes, God gave a tremendous grace.
      1. God appeared to Abraham (Gen. 18) with angels. He ate with him and talked with him. What a great privilege to MEET with Him Privately and Personally.
      2. God revealed to Abraham wisdom for his future. He participated in God’s wisdom. He asked for salvation of righteous people in the city of Sodom. God was willing to change(?) his plan for him. God revealed His own desire – having at least one righteous person in a city.
   4. The greatest joy: Isaac.
      1. Finally, God’s long time promise made it.
      2. Abraham realized that God keeps his own Word.
      3. He was ready to step forward for the greater plan of God: the greatest nation
         1. God promised it from the first time (Genesis 12:1)
         2. God kept reminding it to him several times.
         3. When Abraham faced many crisis of collapsing his tribe (famine, war, losing family), God restored his tribe and brought many possessions at double portions.
      4. We also can either recall the similar moment in the past or anticipate in this wonderful story.

4. It is time for Dedication.

   1. Burnt offering has three meanings: the holiest performance of giving my whole things with all my heart and mind.
   2. But, what is the best dedication for Abraham?
      1. Either could be the sacrifice of his tribe (whole tribal people dying) or giving away his whole possessions to the people.
      2. But, burnt sacrifice always has anticipation: The Return. In return of sacrifice, God bestows something greater blessings.
      3. Then, all of his wealth might be the best possible choice of dedication (burnt offering) for Abraham.

5. However, God’s reply was different and even embarrassing.

   1. God wants his only son. (Gen. 22:2)
   2. His son is the consummation of all Abraham’s life and God’s promise.
   3. Abraham expected a kind of symbolic dedication in his sacrifice, but God wants a real dedication.
   4. If he burns up his son, all of God’s promise and Ab’s life will go away with ash. There will be NO RETURN in our logical reasoning.
   5. Yes. God wants really Dedication!

6. What we can find from Abraham’s response

   1. Abraham penetrated God’s real desire and intention
      1. Gen. 22:1. God tests Abraham. And, Ab knew that it is a test of dedication.
      2. Test of what dedication?
         1. The dedication for the bigger plan of God that he might think that it is just crazy.
         2. The dedication for No Return. Every time, Ab expected a kind of return (like wealth, son…). But, this time, he does not expect anything.
         3. The dedication for breaking up the worse cycle. He decided not to go back to his disbelief and cry from that pain. (He casted out Ishmael and regret)
      3. We might have the similar dedication in our worship.
         1. We devote ourselves not to fall into three problems: the cycle of separation from God, falling into sin and disbelief and getting into deception of Satan.
   2. Abraham moved immediately after God’s call
      1. He did not hesitate (the next day, early in the morning) Genesis 22:3.
         1. This is totally different from last time. He was indecisive when he followed God’s orders.
      2. He eliminated the possible elements of disbelief that might hinder from his obedience to God.
         1. He did not order his servant to prepare for the sacrifice.
         2. He brought minimal numbers of servants.
         3. He orders his servants not to climb the mountain of sacrifice with him except his only son, Isaac.
   3. He resisted his doubts
      1. It took three days to get the mountain (v. 4).
         1. How many times would he have conflict of mind in him?
      2. On his son’s sharp question, he answered promptly.
      3. He promptly bind his son in the altar.
      4. He did not hesitate to stab his son until the angel of God hurried to call his name.
   4. Abraham really understood God’s heart
      1. He knew that God is immutable in Him.
      2. God’s promise does not change at all.
      3. He knew God will either bring another son from 100-year-old wife or resurrect his dead son after sacrifice. It is because God promised.
      4. By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son,
         even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death. (Hebrews 11:17-19)
   5. He even knew that his expectation will not affect immediately.

7. What we can understand from God’s actions

   1. God’s attempt on test has a purpose.
      1. God wanted make his Abraham to be credited by the action of covenant. (official endorsement. It is like an entrepreneur makes his heir sign on his contract for receiving all his possession before all people).
   2. God’s revealing a new plan: sacrificing His Only Son for His sinful people.
      1. Every plan of Abraham is connected to the salvation of Jesus Christ.
      2. Even though Abraham just pursued his survival and wealth, he eventually arrived at the point of the Redemption of God for him and his people.
      3. Even though we just pursue something trivial, we will eventually arrive at the gospel of Jesus Christ.
   3. God prepares a lamb and let Abraham burn it instead of Isaac.
      1. Abraham and Isaac faced and watched and realized the atonement of God.
      2. All Abraham wanted (breaking bad cycles…) disappeared on that burnt offering.

8. The Return

   1. Abraham returned his son as a new life through the sacrifice. He has a new life now.
   2. Abraham received a promised of everlasting redemption.
   3. Abraham received steadfast confirmation of God’s promise (the nation of Israel, and blessing of all blessed)
   4. What are the returns when we have the worship of devotional?
   5. Jesus Christ the everlasting reward!

^[1] D. G. Stradling, “Dedication,” ed. D. R. W. Wood et al., New Bible Dictionary (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1996), 269.