Firsts

Firsts are important. When something is first it sets the stage. The first foreshadows what is to come. We place importance on things that are first. We talk about first impressions, first blush, or at first glance. Genesis is a book of firsts. Within its story we see the first man, the first woman, and the first family. We see the first home in the Garden of Eden. We become aware of the first sin. In the opening pages of Genesis, we are introduced to so many firsts that sometimes we stop looking. But be aware this week of two important firsts.

Genesis 22 is the story of Abraham and Isaac as they travel to Mount Moriah. God has called Abraham to do the unthinkable. To offer Isaac in sacrifice to God. It is a moment that is hard to understand. We can look at the end of the story and justify the beginnings. We can talk about how we know God never intended Abraham to kill Isaac. We can pass it off as a test. But for Abraham, those moments of hindsight are not at play. Only the voice of God, the trust of His friend, and the love of a father. So it is more astonishing to see how Abraham responds.

When the call of God comes, He identifies Isaac as the son that Abraham loves. It might seem strange that Genesis would go 21 chapters and never use the word love. But it does. How can the story of man go so long without a mention of love? It seems so basic to our understanding of family, marriage, and the relationship we share with God. God is love, and God has had a major part to play in Genesis. But there it is. Love is first used to describe how Abraham feels about Isaac. Isaac is the child of his old age. Isaac is the only child of Abraham and Sarah. Isaac is the laughter that fills their lives. He is the center of attention, the long awaited gift, the faithfulness of God’s promise. Isaac holds a special place in Abraham’s heart. God knows this. This is the heart of the moment. Does Abraham love God like he loves Isaac? Does Abraham trust God with Isaac’s future? Abraham’s answer is Yes! The love that flows from Abraham to his son is a sign of the love that flows from God to His people. God loves us and calls us to love Him in return.

This leads is to the second first found in Genesis 22. The word worship. Abraham’s response to God’s call is tell his servants that he is going to go and worship God. Abraham’s love leads him to surrender everything he has into the hands of God. Even his only son. Abraham knows that there is no better place to be than in the hands of God. Whether it is our time, finances, friendships, or family, everything is better when we give it to God. Worship calls us to see God’s holiness and respond in surrender. Worship helps us put words and thoughts and action into motion as we walk with God. Worship calls us out of ourselves, out of our other loves, to lay our hearts at the feet of God.

Love and worship go hand in hand. It is no wonder that they are first used in the same passage. Love and worship belong together. Just as God and man go together. God loves mankind. Man is made to worship God. Fathers and sons. The Lord and His church. Truths to embed as you read this week.