Treasures for the Soul

Genesis chapter 22 is very special. The event of Abraham offering Isaac as a burnt sacrifice depicts how the Father forsook His only begotten Son. This chapter foretold what the Father and the Son would undergo to accomplish the salvation. For instance, Isaac, the only son of Abraham, represents that Jesus is the only begotten Son of the Father. The journey taken by Abraham and Isaac together to Mt. Moriah represents the Father and the Lord’s journey to the cross. Moreover, the Father intensely experienced what the Lord endured on the cross. Through this passage, I hope that we can have a deeper understanding of the Father’s heart.

God alone does wondrous things. His creation and plans are the most wonderful. He has done many wondrous things including creating the whole universe, creating our spirit, soul and body, the Lord becoming a man for us forever, and the Lord’s union with us. All of these things are wonderful. It is so precious that God is also called “The Lord will provide.” He truly has abundant preparations. He has prepared a body for the Lord, as well as salvation and an eternal dwelling place for us. The Lord is the High Priest. Today, we are a team of priests, the firstborn. We are so blessed to be able to enjoy the wondrous preparations of God, and come before Him.

It’s written in Revelation chapter 1 that the Lord has freed us from our sins by His blood and made us priests to His God and Father. 1 Peter chapter 2, verse 9 tells us that we are more than priests. We are a royal priesthood, who have the honor of kings. We are kings. We are no longer in darkness. We have entered into the marvelous light. We can bring many to salvation, help them to draw near to God and experience God. We can love one another. This is how we finish God’s will.

Psalm 110 tells us that God has sworn and will not change His mind to appoint the Lord as our High Priest forever. This shows the Father’s determination. He was pleased to crush His Son in order to gain us. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit were pleased to accomplish this. Hebrews chapter 8, verse 1 mentions that the Lord is the High Priest and is seated at the right hand of the Father, because He has accomplished the most perfect thing. We were once far away from God. But today, not only are we saved, but we have become priests, being closest to God.

We live our lives walking hand in hand with Abba, the Lord, and the Holy Spirit. God has prepared so much for us, illustrated through all His creations. Moreover, God prepared His beloved Son to become a man forever for us. He also prepares abundant feasts for us. In fact, when Abba gave us His beloved Son, He also gave Himself wholly to us. It’s so precious that He has caused us to be His firstborn. He knows all our needs.

In Genesis, the experience between Jacob and his son, Joseph, illustrates Abba’s love toward us. Jacob wept for Joseph. He longed to see his face. After Jacob found him, he said that since he had seen Joseph’s face, he could die now. Abba’s love to us is greater than Jacob’s love toward Joseph. Isaac, whose name means “laughter,” expresses that we are Abba’s joy and delight. Moreover, Psalm 59:10 tells us that God will meet us in His steadfast love. It’s so precious that we are living in the deepest Father and son affection.

The Lord came to the earth for us. He became a man forever and died for us. He also manifested the Father’s love and made Abba known in our hearts. In Gospel John, the Lord mentioned many times that the Father had sent Him. In Luke 15, the merciful father ran to embrace the prodigal son while he was still a long way off. His father had actually been waiting for him all along. This parable tells us that Abba has always been waiting for us. It’s so precious that the prodigal son has now returned home!

Our Lord Jesus is the Lamb of God. It’s so precious that God will prepare for us the marriage supper of the Lamb. Both John chapter 14 and Hebrews chapter 11 tell us that the Lord is preparing a better place for us, the New Jerusalem. The Lord had already prepared for us His salvation. As written in Luke chapter 2, Simeon said that he had seen God’s salvation when he saw the child Jesus. During our life journey, the Lord also prepares many feasts for us. He is the bread of life, who fills our spirit. God’s preparation caused the veil to be rent, so that we can come before God to deeply enjoy Him. At the same time, He also deeply enjoys us. We ought to draw near to the Lord always, and make ourselves ready as a bride adorning herself.

It’s so precious that God’s name is “The Lord will provide.” This name tells us that the infinite God has provided for us abundantly. Before the creation of man, God already created the whole universe and everything in it. Right after Adam and Eve sinned, God prepared for them garments of skins. Hebrews 10:4-7 tells us God prepared a body for the Lord. This tells us that the Lord would become a man forever and would be nailed on the cross for us. Before the Lord’s coming to the earth, God has prepared many sheep and oxen as sacrifices. This shows the preciousness of salvation. Everything provided by God shows how deep His love is towards us.

Genesis chapter 22 tells how God prepared a ram for Abraham on the mountain. This foretold how Abba prepared for us His only beloved Son as the lamb of God, to redeem us, to bear the punishment and be forsaken by God. The latter part of Genesis chapter 22 mentions Rebekah. This foretold the Lord becoming our Beloved. The Holy Spirit leads us to the Lord. God surely gave us His own Son, and graciously with Him gave us all things.