Help #5 — Teaching Help

Abraham said, “God will provide the lamb for the burnt offering.” … Then Abraham saw behind him a ram caught in the thicket. Abraham took the ram, and offered him up in the place of his son. And Abraham called the name of that place “the Eternal Will Provide.” Genesis 22:8, 13-14

Abraham was not always this confident in God. Early in their relationship, he didn’t understand how absolutely trustworthy God is. So when famine came, he left the place God promised for a seemingly better place. Then, to save his skin, he forsook the woman by whom his promised son was to come, letting the king take his wife into his harem. But out of this hopelessly helpless situation God rescued him. The Eternal overcame every obstacle to the receipt of his promises, even Abraham’s sin. Rather than just tell Abraham to leave Egypt after God’s intervention, Pharaoh gave him a military escort. Rather than antagonize Abraham, Pharaoh loaded him down with gifts. So he hastened back to Canaan and worshiped. Abraham was so sure of God’s provision that he subsequently let Lot choose where he wanted to live, and he refused to receive a reward from Sodom’s king. As a result of his experience in Egypt, he learned what we must learn: namely, that God will provide what he promises, especially when circumstances look bleakest.

Almighty God, seeing how you worked with Abraham gives me hope. Work in me so that I will and do what pleases you, no matter how difficult or unreasonable it seems. Amen.