Through the faithfulness of the Promise Keeper (God), the family of the patriarch, Abraham, is expanding. Last week we saw that Abraham had Isaac. Isaac married Rebekah and Rebekah gave birth to twins whose struggle with one another began in their mother’s womb (Genesis 25:22)! God told Rebekah that there would be a rivalry between her boys throughout their lifetimes. Even during their birth, Jacob came out after Esau clutching Esau’s heel (Genesis 25:26).
Read MoreIsaiah 53:10-11 | But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands. When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins.
Read More1st Peter 2:24 | He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.
Read More1st John 2:2 | He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.
Atone: Pay in full
Read MoreMark 10:45 | For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Read MoreHebrews 11:17-19 | It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God’s promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, even though God had told him, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.” Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back to life again. And in a sense, Abraham did receive his son back from the dead.
Read MoreJohn 3:16 | For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.
Read MoreLast week, we looked at the life of Abraham who was promised he would be the father of a mighty nation. While the promise hadn’t been fulfilled yet, we saw that nation begin through the birth of Abraham and Sarah's only son: Isaac.
Isaac was a miracle baby (Genesis 11:30, 18:11-12) and a son of promise (Galatians 4:28). The promise of Isaac was given to Abraham when he was 75 years old (Genesis 12:1-7), and fulfilled after 25 years of waiting:
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