Advent Devotion: Genesis 22:1-19. Many Sons

Wednesday in Advent 1

December 1, 2021

Genesis 22:1-19

Many Sons

Just like Eve, Abraham receives a promise about his offspring.  He had almost offered his offspring up as a burnt offering, but the Lord had provided a ram in Isaac’s place.  Abraham received his son back from the dead, in a way.  And from this one offspring or seed named Isaac the Lord promises to multiply his offspring like “the stars of the heaven and the sand that is on the seashore.”  (Gen. 22:17)  From the son that was given over to death will come countless sons, just as Jesus taught before He died: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.”  (John 12:24)

“Offspring,” like “seed”, can be singular or plural.  If someone says, “My offspring,” they can mean one particular child, or all their children.  We have this same ambiguity in the promise to Abraham.  His offspring will be as many as the stars in the sky.  But when He says, “Your offspring will possess the gates of his enemies,” and “in your offspring will all the nations of the earth be blessed,” it’s not clear if one particular offspring is meant, or all of Abraham’s descendants.  (Gen 22:17-18)

Isaac was Abraham’s only son.  When he was given over to death at the command of God, the Lord blessed Isaac and promised to multiply him into many sons for Abraham, like the sand of the sea.

When Abraham’s offspring Jesus is given over to be a whole burnt offering at the command of God, the Lord also multiplies Him into many sons of God.  Jesus possess the gates of His enemies; by His death He stormed the castle of the one who holds the power of death, the devil.  He bound him and carried off the weapons and armor in which he trusted.  Jesus has taken away sin by His death, the weapon by which the devil held the human race in bondage.  That weapon is taken out of Satan’s hand.  The devil is disarmed and powerless.  He can no longer claim authority or control anyone who believes in Jesus.

By being offered up as a burnt offering for us, Jesus brought blessing to the whole human race.  In place of God’s anger against us as sinners has come His constant favor and blessing.  He regards us as righteous, who believe that Jesus has satisfied the requirements of the Law for us. 

Out of this one Offspring of Abraham, given over to death, the Lord raises up many sons.  He makes us possess the gates of our enemies in Jesus.  Death and the devil are defeated for us.  Sin lies under our feet.  And blessing comes to the world through us as well, as we proclaim Jesus Christ in our churches, in our homes, in our joys and crosses, and in our deaths.

Abram’s promised great reward,

Zion’s helper, Jacob’s Lord—

            Him of two-fold race behold—

            Truly came, as long foretold.  Amen.  (LSB 352 st. 3)