Making All Things New: The Book of Genesis
Father’s Day: Faith and Obedience
Rev. Ho-Ming Tsui
Genesis 22

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What kind of gracious, merciful, and good God would command this?

1. God does not condone child sacrifice (Leviticus 18:21; 20:2; 20:5; Deuteronomy 12:31; 18:10)

2. Abraham’s relationship with God was special one. God has not miraculously placed another human in the same circumstances as Abraham

3. We need to place it in the context of the whole narrative (specifically from Gen 12-21)

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So what IS this story about?

1. A father modelling the human tendency for the desire for control (v.1-3)
The human tendency is to create a ‘Plan B’ when God doesn’t work the way we think He should.

2. A father modelling genuine faith through the trust He places in God (v. 4-12)
What is the fear of the Lord?

The phrase ‘fear of God’ describes a proper relationship with God. One who fears God knows their proper place in the cosmos.
—Tremper Longman

Fear is the prime term for right human response to God. When used in relation to God, it does not indicate fright, or even (usually) awe, but rather a right attitude and obedience.
—Walter Moberly

Clearly, God’s promise to give the whole earth to Abraham and his descendants was based not on his obedience to God’s law, but on a right relationship with God that comes by faith.
—Romans 4:13


3. This story is not about a father’s commitment to God; it’s about God’s commitment to a father (v.13-14)

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Conclusion: Our obedience matters (v. 15-18)

a. Your obedience matters if you want to live a blessed life
b. Your obedience matters to the eternal destinies of others