Genesis: The Lamb of God
“God himself will provide the lamb
for the burnt offering, my son.”
Genesis 22:8
They left early in the morning – father and son with donkeys laden for a weeklong trek. From their home in Beersheba they traveled north for two days over rough terrain and through dangerous passes. On day three the elderly father saw what he was looking for – a mountain, among the hills of Moriah. Father and son begin the climb. They have come to sacrifice to their God and find forgiveness for their sin. The son appears puzzled. “The fire and wood are here Father, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” The father responds confidently, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering.” Abraham and Isaac build a rough altar and arrange the wood. Father turns to the son and speaks. Words cannot begin to explain the meekness of the son who now climbs upon this altar nor the agony of the father who now raises the knife. “Wait!” Suddenly arrested! A bleating from a bush! The lamb!
John the Baptist knew the story well and when he saw Jesus he was prompted by the Spirit to say, “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” A few years later near the traditional site of Mt. Moriah the true Lamb of God took away the sins of the world. Yes!
© 2004 Donald D. Reigstad