Stay Behind

Gen. Chapter 22

Why did Abraham tell his servants to stay behind when he went upon the mount to sacrifice Isaac to the LORD. Some say, maybe he didn't want any witnesses, I mean after all he was going up there to kill his only son. Now you know Isaac is probably after 3 days of walking to the mountain trying to figure out where is the sacrifice? We didn't bring any goats with us. You figure he was about 17 or so, and Abraham about 117 or so. Makes you wonder what they had in common to talk about on that long journey?

Well, back in those days, they didn't have tv, or music idols, or video games to fill up their heads, they just had the word of God and they studied on the Lord and His ways. When I say the word of God, Abraham got the words straight from God. You see, there was not so much stuff going on that his mind was going in so many directions that he could not hear the word of God being spoken to him. Some of us need to clear out our heads, so we can hear God when He speaks to us.

Back to my subject. Why did Abraham asks the servants to stay behind? Well, after reading this, I think maybe it was because he wasn't completely sure where their faith level was, and he needed to do what God had told him to do, and he could not have anyone trying to stop the work of the LORD. Abraham told the servants wait here until we return. Notice he said, (WE). You see Abraham had faith in God and knew that he would not have given him a son just to take him away. He knew God wanted to see where his faith level in Him was. He knew he could pass the test, but he wasn't sure as to whether or not his servants would have enough faith to let God's will be done.

Sometimes we need to politely ask those with less faith than ourselves in a matter who want to go with us through a trial to stay behind, and we will return to them shortly, because they could hinder us in our faith in carrying out what it is God needs us to do. Not that they would deliberately try to stop the work of the LORD, but their faith level may not be where yours is, and so they can not get into agreement with you. When you are fighting for your life against some sickness or disease, you want to be like Abraham in your faith and know without a doubt that God will provide. He will put the ram in the thickets to give you what you need to survive. AMEN!

Gen. 22 v 5....and Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you."....

Gen. 22 v 7-8.....But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, "My father!" And he said, "Here I am, My son." then he said, "Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" And Abraham said, "My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering." So the two of them went together......

Gen. 22 v 13.....Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son......

Lord, give us the faith of Abraham and bring us to the point in our faith walk that we will always trust you to provide for us and not just in ourselves. AMEN!

Neta