03/03/2018
Seek Daily (NBC)*
Saturday, March 3
Genesis 22:15-19
*GOD BLESSES ABRAHAM FOR OBEDIENCE*
“… _through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me_ ”. Genesis 22:18, NIV
Sir Leonard Wood was visiting the King of France. The king was really pleased with him and invited him to dinner the next day. He went. But the king said, “Sir Leonard. I did not expect to see you. How is it that you are here?” “Did not Your Majesty invite me to dine with you?” “Yes, but you did not answer my invitation”. “A king’s invitation is never to be answered, but to be obeyed”.
Abraham understood that God must be obeyed; that was why he couldn’t question God’s command – to sacrifice his only son. For obeying God, Abraham received double blessings (v. 15); not just for the moment but for a lifetime. Faith is total trust in God, which is measured by our obedience. God is committed to blessing you day by day, but you also have a responsibility to obey Him every time. Scripture says, “And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete” (2 Cor. 10:6). Do you desire God’s best in life? Then, make a commitment to give God the best as you obey His words to the letter, even when it seems difficult to do so.
*Birthday Blessing:* “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him”. Psalms 34:8.
*RBT Passage:* Exodus 14; Luke 17; Job 32; 2 Corinthians 2.
“I find that doing the will of god leaves me no time for disputing about His plans”. –George McDonald
DATE: MARCH 4, 2018.
THEME FOR MARCH, APRIL AND MAY:
THEME FOR MARCH: FOLLOW IN MY WAYS.
TOPIC: A TEST OF TRUST.
TEXT: GENESIS 22:1-2, 6-14.
GOLDEN TEXT: “Abraham answered, ‘God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.' And the two of them went on together.''' Genesis 22:8
INTRODUCTION
A story was once told of a pastor who was privileged to pastor one of the biggest churches in his Conference . He was very comfortable and well loved by his members. But all of a sudden he resigned and decided to relocate to a l***rs' colony in one of the towns in the South West, as a pastor. Despite all efforts by his wife, children, friends, family and church members to dissuade him from making such a risky decision, he remained adamant, even though he knew the consequences of his decision. When concerned members of the church asked him the reason for his decision, he simply said. "God has spoken, his servants must obey. " His slogan was, "If Christ loves sinners, we should also love others irrespective of their status. " Ultimately, people testified to his faithful and sincere service to the l***rs in the colony for some years. Invariably, we can say that the pastor passed the test of truth even though he died as a l***r.
Sometimes, God tests His people to ascertain their commitment and level of obedience to Him, like the case of Abraham. Our lesson today is about how God tested the faith of Abraham by asking him to sacrifice his beloved son in order to determine his level obedience to Him. Abraham , on his part, passed the test. He did not mind the bond between him and his son, Isaac- the promised seed. Little wonder he became the father of faith.
THE LESSON EXPLAINED
A. ABRAHAM'S SUPREME TEST GENESIS 22: 1-2
The relationship between God and Abraham had been cordial since he was called to leave his father's land for the land He (God) would show him. The command was with a promise to make him into a great nation, to bless and give him the Promised Land (Genesis 12: 1-7). The promise was eventually fulfilled in chapter 21 when Isaac was born to Abraham in his old age. However, God later tested his loyalty to Him. He said, "Take your only son , Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about. " (v2) the expression "... Your only son, Isaac, whom you love,... " connotes a sense of the uniqueness of the child, Isaac, who was born out of promise.
God's instruction to Abraham was clear and distinct. The object of the sacrifice was Isaac, not Ishmael or any of his servants. Truly, Abraham's experience was a serious test because God had promised that his descendants would come through Isaac (Genesis 21: 12 b). Interestingly, his response was amazing as he was ready to carry out the task without hesitation (v v. 3-8). Abraham did not question God, or suggest an alternative, which reveals the depth of his faith and total loyalty to God. Immediately he received the message, he set out to do just what God instructed him to do. We can, therefore, say that God still tests His people to determine the extent of their love and faith in Him. Those who faithfully undergo such tests are greatly rewarded and will serve as example to other believers, like Abraham.
DISCUSSION TIME
1. Discuss some of the ways God tests His people today and how to pass such tests._____________
2. What are the likely consequences of disobeying God's commands? Give some biblical examples_____________________________________________________________________________________
B. A JOURNEY OF FAITH GENESIS 22: 6-12
Earlier in chapter 15 , God appeared in a vision and promised to make his offspring as numerous as the stars. According to verse 6, he believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness. His assignment of sacrificing his only beloved son, Isaac, was a difficult one but as a man of faith, he embarked on the journey without hesitation. While he made Isaac to carry the wood, he himself carried the other elements for the burnt offering. As they walked towards the mountain, Isaac became curious and asked his father '... Where is the lamb for the burnt offering? (V.7b) Abraham's mature response revealed the depth of his trust and faith in God. He said, 'God himself will provide the Lamb for the burnt offering.... 'The climax of the experience was that having built an Altar, Abraham bound Isaac, laid him on it and reached out for a knife and wanted to kill him but God spoke through an angel who halted the action saying to him, "Do not lay a hand on the boy, "... " Do not do anything to him... "(V.12). Of course, God was pleased and testified of Abraham's unreserved loyalty to Him.
Certainly, the journey of Abraham and his son, Isaac, was faith-based . According to his confession in verse 8, God truly provided an alternative (a lamb) for the burnt offering instead of Isaac. At last, Abraham obtained an attestation from heaven of the genuineness of his faith with revelation of God's ability to always meet our needs. Therefore, his faith was made complete by what he did-he obeyed God without hesitating. James cited the action of Abraham to prove that faith is shown by means of appropriate actions (James 2: 22). Consequently, God can always meet our needs in ways that are quite unusual when we trust and obey His instructions. Therefore, believers should be willing to demonstrate their faith in God, no matter hw difficult it may seem.
DISCUSSION TIME
1. What do you think would be the altitude of Isaac to his father after the whole episode?_________________________________________________________________________________
2. Discuss some of the ways Christians can demonstrate their total obedience to God without counting the cost._________________________________________________________________________
C. GOD'S DIVINE PROVISION GENESIS 22: 13-14
Our God specialises in making provisions for His people beyond their comprehension. Having been instructed by God not to harm Isaac, because of the demonstration of his faith, God provided a substitute. When Abraham looked up, he saw a ram caught by it's horns, which eventually served as an object for the burnt offering instead of his son, Isaac. Certainly, Abraham was astonished by the divine provision thus he called the place' The LORD will provide' and to this day, people still say, " on the mountain of the Lord, it will be provided. " So, the ram was sacrificed in place of Isaac just like Jesus Christ who gave His life as a ransom for the remission of the sins of humankind (Mark 10: 45). Our God does not undermine our sacrificial services to Him. Whenever we attempt great things for Him without reservation, we can be sure that we will be greatly rewarded.
DISCUSSION TIME
1. Throughout the passage, nothing is said about Sarah. What would you have done if you were Sarah, after the whole episode?________________________________________________________________
2. Let at least two class members share how their needs were recently and how they respond to God.__________________________________________________________________________________________
PEAYER POINTS Pray and ask God for the grace to remain faithful to Him, no matter hw difficult it may seem . Pray that you will not disappoint God by failing His test. Pray for believers who are struggling with life's challenges that they will not also disappoint God.
TAKE HOME It pays to obey God, no matter the task. God still rewards faithful services. Christians should be ready to give their best to God. We should have faith in God like Abraham.
NEXT SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
DATE: MARCH 11, 2018.
THEME FOR MARCH, APRIL AND MAY: ACKNOWLEDGING GOD.
THEME FOR MARCH: FOLLOW IN MY WAYS.
TOPIC: PROMISES KEPT.
TEXT: 2 CHRONICLES 6:12-21
MARANATHA!!!
