When studying the patriarchs from Scripture, you can have your kids create a scene of Abraham and Isaac in LEGO. One of the most poignant scenes in Scripture is when Abraham is commanded by God to be willing to sacrifice his son. He loved his son so much because Isaac was a miracle baby. Sarah and Abraham were beyond childbearing years, being 90 and 100 years old, so the fact that God did a miracle to enable Sarah to conceive made the pregnancy even more intensely precious.
We are told in Hebrews 11:17-19 that Abraham knew that God was able to raise Isaac from the dead because he was certain that God had promised that from Isaac would come a nation as vast as the sand on the seashore. Because Abraham trusted God, he followed through on the command, and an angel held back his hand. God provided a ram in the thicket. Abraham had previously told his son that God would provide the sacrifice.
Often we accidentally put relationships with people higher than our love for God. When this happens, we make that person an idol. This happened to me when my only daughter almost drowned at age 1. I was so close to rage at God that He would dare to take her away from me. In that moment I realized I loved my daughter more than God. I was shocked, but most parents have the same sin. God worked in my heart to build my love and trust for Him.
Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of Me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. – Matthew 10:37 ESV
The other beautiful blessing that Abraham received was to understand what it was like for God the Father to sacrifice His Son, Jesus Christ, to save people from their sins. The agony of God the Father was experienced by Abraham, and understanding God is always a deep, incredible blessing!
