How many of you like sandwiches? Did you know that the "sandwich" is an invention of an Englishman named Sandwich? How about the word cardigan? This is a kind of sweater that you wear that was invented by an English soldier who'd been injured in the war: he had broken his arm and needed a sweater that was easier for him to put on.

Well, there are many things around us that have been named after certain people, and certain events. This morning we have a special passage of the Bible. Through his action of faith, we Christians have received the expression "the Lord will provide" and remember it even in this time of history.

The first line in Chapter 22 starts with "Sometime later". From this context we can imagine that Abraham had been through several events since the last reference to him. Indeed, in the beginning of Chapter 21, Abraham's wife had just given birth to his son, Isaac, which should have been a very happy time for him and his family. Though, by their own decisions, they had agreed to have a child using his wife's servant -- and this was not in God's will [though God remained silent in it]. Then, they had done just what they thought was right. As their actions were not of God, that decision was, in a way, the start of their great anguish. But, after this bitter episode, God gave them a son. We can easily imagine just how excited and happy they were!

Since Isaac's birth, most of the things in Abraham's life must have been going well -- then, God decided to test Abraham. This testing of God's quite often happens to us, as the children of God. Living in comfort creates the risk that we will stop depending upon God. We so easily can forget God, our Creator, when things are going well and we are busy with life. It can honestly be said that we only go back to God in our hard times. God knows all of our weak points, of course. And, once in a while, we receive His testing [to bring us back into focus with reality].

There is another reason why He tests us. We sometimes wonder why faithful people that we know or hear about go through hardships. Well, according to His own plans for us, God is making us more spiritual, so that we can be closer to Him.

We all know that Abraham has been called the Father of Faith, which is true enough and shows us that through his faith we were all able to receive our blessings. His life was full of ventures. Quite a few events happened in his life. At the age of 100, Abraham begot a son. Sarah, his wife, was already 90 years old. Physically such a thing seemed impossible. It must have been so difficult believing in God's promises to them. By that time, it must have seemed to them that their reproductive bodies were already dead. So having a baby past the ages of 100 and 90 truly was something to be excited about! They had waited long enough!

But, it was natural [, especially in these circumstances,] that Isaac was to become a kind of idol to them. He was a miracle from Heaven, cute and lovely to them. They just couldn't help feeling like this. However, it didn't please God [Pastor Hirota's conjecture]. So, God brought out his test: God required Abraham to offer his son [up as a burnt offering] to Him. On the way to the place [God had chosen for Isaac to be sacrificed], it must have been a terrible thing to dwell on. Probably, Isaac knew that he would be the sacrifice, while, perhaps, Abraham was counting on God to do something beyond his expectations. But, it had been God who had demanded Isaac, so there was no escape.

At the moment Abraham tried to kill his son, a voice came to him from the angel of the Lord, telling him to stop. In his faithful actions, God had seen that Abraham was obedient to Him. [It was a test only.] There was a ram stuck in the bushes near by to use in his place. It was the answer from God. So Abraham named that place "The Lord will provide."

This morning we are to fully know that "the Lord will provide." In our own lives, lots of things do happen to us that seem impossible for us to overcome. But, we are to keep grasping on to this truth.

Personally, I am going through a certain experience in which I really need to see the fulfillment of "the Lord will provide": this is my scheduled Trip To The Holy Land. I am badly short of tourists to come along. I can't cancel the excursion now, the registration monies have already been paid to the Egyptian hotels. I need many more people to come with me... However, even in this trial, I am sure that it will be a testimony of how "the Lord will provide."

Sermon translated by Junko Okamoto - Edited for the Net by Shido
For another sermon see: Oita Evangelical Christ Church
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