October 7, 2026
GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY:
“On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.”.” (Genesis 22.4-5)
REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD:
Foreshadowing of the Messianic Promise ahead!
Yesterday, I drew your attention to two forward glances to the Passion Story of Christ found in Genesis 22.3: “early in the morning” and “he chopped the wood.” Today, we are presented with a third forward glance in Genesis 22.4 and 5: “on the third day.” Of course, that phrase sounds immediately in the heart, mind and spirit of the mighty ones of God as the catch phrase for God’s act of redemption (reference Genesis 42.17-18; Exodus 10.22-23; Exodus 19.10-11; Jonah 1.17; Matthew 16.21 and John 2.19) Of course, all the Old Testament references including today’s from Genesis 22 are preparing the way for the promise of God’s redemption through the sacrifice of His Only Begotten Son as well as His resurrection. The connection is unavoidable. The presence of that phrase alerts us looking back at the significance of what God had promised and has done for our redemption and reconciliation.
In today’s presenting of “on the third day,” we are taken to the place where Isaac would be offered as a living sacrifice. Such burnt offerings were made with a lamb or ram to indicate the giving of a life for a life. Such connection is the reminder of what God did in the Garden of Eden to redeem and reconcile Adam and Eve for their transgression against the will of God. The consequences were clear that God’s will was holy and righteousness. Jesus would teach in His “Sermon on the Mount,” “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all that is needed will be provided.” (Matthew 6.33) Abraham had no understanding of that teaching. All Abraham had was his faith and trust in God to made good on His promise to make Abraham a “father of nations.” How important it was, and is for us today, to understand that the legacy promised by God was contingent upon Abraham’s faithfulness to God and not about Isaac at all. In the flesh, we would easily assume that God was speaking of lineage when He mentioned the legacy of fathering nations. The Pharisees made such an assumption as well about their primacy in Israel. John the Baptist had heard it and held them accountable for it saying “And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.” (Matthew 3.9) It is not by blood that they or any Jew was blessed by the promise of God but by God Himself who could put His spirit into stones if He so chose so they might receive Him and praise Him. It is about “faith,” mighty ones of God. Abraham had made several long journeys which we have reflected upon in the past. This three day journey would be the most difficult one and the one that would test his faith and faithfulness the most. Just as the other “three day” sojourns were tests of faith as well. But with the test comes the reward and in each of those stories we see the reward given. It is available to us as well, regardless of the length of our sojourn of faith.
TODAYS’ PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING:
Father, in these days we are finding the need to believe even more than ever before. We all have known trouble, some in greater ways than others, but You are offering us the assurance that we will not be consumed by it forever. Regardless of the “time” we are in and the “time” we have been given, we ask for Your Holy Spirit which Jesus asked You to share with us, to lead and guide and direct us in the paths we should go. Teach us what we still need to learn. Empower us to put that learning into action. Bless our actions not as a works righteousness endeavor, but as righteous works of faith, hope and love in Jesus’ name. AMEN.
