Abraham Receives The Provision of God

The ram caught in the thicket is God's provision for Abraham's worship & salvation. Abraham rightly understands that the ram is to replace Isaac & be offered as the sacrifice. We too receive God's provision of Jesus Christ as the sacrifice which forms the basis of our worship. The ram was also a provision for salvation. Isaac is delivered from death & given back to Abraham as a son risen from the dead. Thus Abraham is given a picture of His seed overcoming death in resurrection. Jesus says 'Abraham rejoiced to see My day, & he saw it & was glad.' (Jn 8:56) We also learn of the principle of substitutionary sacrifice as the method God uses to save Abraham's seed. Abraham's faith was in the promised seed with the hope of resurrection. That faith & hope characterized the remnant of the OT & comes into focus in Jesus Christ. In a day when men are calling Muslims, Jews & Christians to rediscover the faith of Abraham so as to find a common faith, may we clearly present Abraham's faith: he saw Jesus' Day & rejoiced!