Genesis 12:2

And you shall be a blessing

Abraham’s walk with God deepened as he was building the altars. A person who was an idol worshipper before God’s calling, and by the time he built the third altar deepened his relationship with God. Abraham did not end building the altars there. Genesis 22:9 declares: Then they came to the place of which God had told him. And Abraham built an altar there and placed the wood in order; and he bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, upon the wood.

Would anyone be willing to sacrifice his own son? Any person who is aware of a blood relationship covenant will never be able to sacrifice their own children. So, the simple answer is a resounding NO. But in the case of Abraham we see that he was obedient to God’s Word. Abraham did not hesitate to sacrifice his own son. How many times have we sacrificed simple things in our life by listening to God’s Word for the sake of God?

By the time Abraham built his fourth altar. His walk with God not only deepened but his confidence level was so high that he did not wink for a second when God told him to offer Isaac as a sacrifice. Abraham knew in his mind that if God required Isaac to be offered as a sacrifice, he also knew that God would bring Isaac back to life. What’s our confidence level in God’s Word? Many times we fail to understand His promises and underestimate His authority. The entire creation is holding up to this day and beyond is because of God’s promise and His glory. He is able to sustain us daily by His sovereignty over everything. As a new creation after we are born again, God expects us to take baby steps in understanding who He is. As we grow in the spirit, the Holy Spirit nurtures our steps by helping and guiding us to maturity in Christ.

Re-visiting Abraham’s four altars we find that at the first altar, he found hope and promise of the Lord. It is called the altar of promise. At the second altar Abraham offered prayer to the Lord. It is called the altar of prayer. At the third altar Abraham was strengthened by the Lord and is called the altar of strength. And at the fourth altar, Abraham found how God was able to provide a substitutionary sacrifice in place of Isaac. It is called the altar of sacrifice.

Let us all learn to build the spiritual altars to God through His Son Christ Jesus and achieve the level of maturity that God expects us to be. May we exalt the name of our Lord Jesus Christ who is above all. May the name of our Lord Jesus Christ be glorified for now and forevermore! Amen.

Maranatha!