Genesis 22

I am always astonished when I read Genesis 22. Abraham is 100 years old when his wife Sarah gives birth to his firstborn son, Isaac. Then when Isaac grows up, God tests Abraham by asking him to sacrifice his one and only son.

If I was Abraham would I have done the same? Not only is he your only son, but to make things more awkward, Isaac questions his Dad about the whereabouts of the sacrifice (not knowing that it would be him!). Yet Abraham goes ahead and obeys God, and look at what is said of him:

“Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” (emphasis mine)

Abraham had a proper fear of God and obeyed God even though it would cost him his only son. Would I have faith in God and obey him like Abraham did?

And because of Abraham's faith he is blessed:

“By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you,

This passage also reminds me of how God offer his son Jesus Christ as an atoning sacrifice for our sins! Jesus also had to trust and obey God to the point of death. And it is through Jesus that we are blessed. Jesus fulfills what is said in Genesis 22:18 -

and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.

 God is someone who we can trust and is a God we should fear and obey. Praise God that it is by grace we have been saved through faith. And this not from ourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one may boast. (Eph 2:8-9)

2nd day of Bible reading plan

So far I have been enjoying the Bible reading plan that I'm doing for 2012. I like how this plan has 4 readings a day from 4 different parts of the Bible.

One of the parts that I've been reading is 1 Chronicles - it's the book that everyone dreads reading because it's genealogy central. But here are a few things that have struck me so far from Chronicles:

1. Abraham was truly blessed by God with many descendants (all with very interesting names)
2. Families can be very messed up - multiple wives, lack of heirs, flings with slaves, etc.
3. God works through all the messiness of families to bring about his plans - Praise God!!!

Will try and randomly post things about what I'm learning from God's word in 2012.

Bible reading plans

Thinking about reading through the Bible in a year in 2012? Why not try one of the Bible reading plans at http://www.esv.org/resources/reading-plans-devotions/

I'm going to have a go at the ESV Study Bible plan.

When I was at uni I managed to read through the whole Bible in two years, so I'll see how I go with this plan and will fill you in along the way.