“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.”
Genesis 22:2
The story of Abraham’s journey to fatherhood is one with which most Christians are familiar. By faith, he and his wife, Sarah, waited years for the child God promised them (Heb. 11:8–11). In Genesis 21, we read that the now-elderly couple finally welcomed that son but that their joy was to be short-lived as, in the next chapter, God asks Abraham to give Isaac back in sacrifice. Amazingly, this new father again wholeheartedly trusted the Lord for provision, even when it seemed impossible and unintelligible. Just as the patriarch was about to slaughter Isaac, an angel stopped his hand and showed him a ram he could use instead (Gen. 22:10–13). Isaac’s life was spared.
This event could have had a tragic ending but, instead, Abraham and his family experienced God’s timely provision, love, and faithfulness. To commemorate the event, Abraham named the place of his son’s near-death experience “the Lord will provide” (22:14).
God told Abraham to sacrifice “your son, your only son, whom you love” (22:2). This heavy request foreshadowed what God would do years later: sacrifice his only Son, the one he loves, for the sake of the world (John 3:16). Jesus Christ, the ultimate Son of promise, came not to condemn the world but to bring salvation (3:17). The gift of Christ speaks to God’s timely provision and faithfulness. The Father loved us so much that he sent his Son to be sacrificed in our place (1 Pet. 3:18). The same way he had provided Abraham with a ram, the Father sent the Lamb of God to take away our sins (John 1:29).
Christmas is a wonderful time of year marked by great joy, love, generosity, and family time. But the season can also be a stark reminder of our personal needs, especially if any of these essential things are lacking in one’s life. Perhaps you do not have a loving family with whom you can share the joy. Maybe you are lacking gifts under the tree or a meal for your loved ones. Such deficiencies can certainly steal joy and dampen the festive mood.
This Christmas, instead of focusing on what we lack, let us look back to Genesis 22 and be reminded of God’s timely provision of his Son, Jesus Christ, the only reason for the season. Like the father of faith, Abraham, let us have unwavering faith that God will provide and meet all our needs as we celebrate the gift of Christ this joyous season.
Lord of Hosts, you have lovingly given your children all we need in your Son and by your Spirit. Grant us, we pray, a heart of contentment and gratitude, of faith in your present provision and hope in your future provision.
Bertha Githae
* Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from the New American Standard Bible, ©The Lockman Foundation, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1995. Used by permission.
** The above was taken from Glory to God in the Highest: A Christmas Devotional (Oakville: Proclamation, 2024).
By job title, Alice is the office administrator at Oakridge. But her behind-the-scenes efforts go far beyond that! She is actively involved in the leadership team for the Tuesday evening women's bible study, she is on the mission committee, and she has recently both stepped into the leadership of church bridal and baby shower celebrations, and started teaching in our Ozone kids program. Oh, and if you see any special seasonal or holiday decorations around the church, it's a safe bet that Alice was involved!