A Legacy of Faith
Genesis 22:1-3, 7-14; 26:2-5
Sarah Edwards, wife of 18th century preacher Jonathan Edwards, wrote to her daughter shortly after her husband’s death: “What shall I say? A holy and good God has covered us with a dark cloud. O that we may kiss the rod, and lay our hands on our mouths! The Lord has done it. He has made me adore His goodness, that we had him so long. But my God lives; and he has my heart. O what a legacy my husband, and your father, has left us!”
Our names don’t have to occupy the limelight to leave legacies, and our act doesn’t have to be spotless. Abraham wasn’t perfect, but left a legacy of faith to his family and the entire world. We can, too, by exhibiting consistent faith in God and by allowing Him to direct our paths.
Leaving a legacy of faith includes periods of testing (Genesis 22:1-3, 7-10). Abraham and Sarah waited a long time for the child God promised. Now He was asking Abraham to take the son of promise to Moriah and offer him as a sacrifice. The idea of child sacrifice was certainly abhorrent to Abraham, but he obeyed. He trusted God to resurrect his son if He actually let him complete the sacrifice (Hebrews 11:17-19).
Legacies are built on obedience, even when doing so is difficult. Seasons of testing can produce joy (James 1:2-3) when we acknowledge God’s control and claim His promise to work all things together for good. Abraham led by example, teaching Isaac that nothing was dearer than his relationship with God. Modern parents must do the same.
Building faith legacies includes opportunities to prove the validity of our faith (Genesis 22:11-14). The duo reached the designated place for sacrifice. Abraham built the altar and arranged the wood. Binding Isaac, he took the knife and prepared to perform the sacrifice. As the knife was about to pierce his body, an angel of the Lord stopped him. Abraham proved his faith in God.
The story is charged with the concept of substitutionary atonement. God provides a ram in the place of Isaac, just as He did His Son for humanity. God’s love prompts Him to provide for our needs.
Legacies of faith, by their nature, multiply (Genesis 26:2-5). God appeared to Isaac and confirmed the covenant He previously made with Abraham. Abraham’s faith wasn’t perfect, but it was consistent. Firm faith has a lasting impact on our family, extending far beyond our lifetime. While children of believers must make a personal faith choice in Christ, the parents’ example is crucial.
Wiles– Lessons in the BSL series for the spring quarter are being written by Martin Wiles, pastor of First Baptist Church, Harleyville, and author of three books, including recently published “Grace Greater Than Sin.”