The Lamb of God – The Presidential Prayer Team

God will provide for himself the lamb. – Genesis 22:8

The sacrifice of an animal as an atonement for the sins of humankind was first made by God Himself in the Garden of Eden when He clothed Adam and Eve in skins which would have required the death of the animal from which the skins were retrieved (Genesis 3:21). Later, outside the Garden, God would find the animal sacrifice of Abel acceptable (Genesis 4:4). Even before God instituted the sacrifice of the Passover Lamb, He had set the pattern.

But when Abraham was called to sacrifice his son, Isaac, it must have come as a shock. However, in full obedience, he brought Isaac to Mount Moriah where the sacrifice would be made. As the two proceeded to the appointed place with the wood, fire, and knife, whether in innocence or fear, Isaac asked where the sacrificial lamb was, and Abraham responded (today’s verse) that God would provide the lamb.

The first verse of today’s chapter says that God tested Abraham. That is the sum and substance of this account with Isaac. Would Abraham remain faithful? Isaac was his only legitimate son, the progeny through which God had promised a vast nation. The Inductive Study Bible suggests it was not for God’s benefit that Abraham was being tested, but for Abraham’s. The patriarch’s life would change that day, for then he knew he could have absolute trust in God and in His love for him.

Today’s verse says, “God will provide himself the lamb,” and, indeed, there was a ram caught in a thicket that became the substitute for Isaac. In his commentary, theologian Matthew Henry says, “Reference must be had to the promised Messiah, the blessed Seed. Christ was sacrificed in our stead, as this ram instead of Isaac, and his death was our discharge.” Just as God provided the ram to replace Isaac, He has given the Lamb of God to take away the sins of the world, His only Son, Jesus (John 1:29). There is no other provision for your sin! Trust God in everything. Obey Him. He will surely provide for you.

Today’s Verse: Genesis 22:8

Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together.

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Recommended for further reading: Genesis 22:1-19

22 After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” ²He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” ³So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. ⁴On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. ⁵Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.” ⁶And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together. ⁷And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” ⁸Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together.

⁹When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. ¹⁰Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. ¹¹But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” ¹²He said, “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.” ¹³And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. ¹⁴So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”

¹⁵And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven ¹⁶and said, “By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, ¹⁷I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, ¹⁸and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.” ¹⁹So Abraham returned to his young men, and they arose and went together to Beersheba. And Abraham lived at Beersheba.