“Two Fathers and Their Sons”

The first father and son is found in Genesis 22. Abraham was commanded to offer his son, Isaac, as a burnt offering on Mount Moriah. The three-day journey must have been agonizing for Abraham. Arriving there, Isaac asked his father, “Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” (22:7). Abraham answered, “God will provide Himself a lamb” (22:8). It must have been shocking to Isaac to discover that he was the one to be sacrificed. Abraham built the altar, laid the wood in order, bound his son, and laid him on the altar (22:9). Just before the sacrifice would take place, Abraham must have been thrilled to hear the voice of God stopping Him and providing the ram in the thicket. Rejoicing in the Lord, Abraham called Him “Jehovah-Jireh” (the God Who sees and provides 22:14). It must have been a joyous time going back home together.

But there was another Father and Son. God the Father and His only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus, who went to Golgotha. There would be no last second stopping the sacrifice of the Son from taking our place. Think of it. The Father spared not His only Son. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Two fathers and two sons with two very different outcomes! God did indeed provide Himself a Lamb in both cases!