The Brinkley argus., 1918-10-18
LESSON FOR OCTOBER 20
ABRAHAM GIVING ISAAC TO GOD.

ABRAHAM GIVING ISAAC TO GOD,
 LESSON TExT-Genesis 22:f-14
 GOLDEN TEXT-I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life.-I Sam uel Ill
 DEVOTIONAL READ1NG-Luke 14:25-
 ADDITIONAL MATERIAL FOR TEACHERS-Genesis 15:1-6; 18:9-15; 21-1-12
 1. Abraham Tested (vv. 1, 9.
 God does not tempt men to sin Games :13), but he subjects them to rigid tests to prove them. In the treat ment of Abraham we have a supreme example. God tested Abraham, not Lot. Sodom tested Lot. God tests the man who is proof against the tests of SOdom. God had promised Abra- ham an heir through whom blessings were to come to the world. For many years his faith wGs sorely tired in wait ing for its fulfillment. At length, his heart rejoiced in the realization Of that hope. In the lad in the patri- arch's tent were wrapped Abrahsm's hopes of the future when his seed sollould DC dS Ilt Sldi lOI lliulliIulCs His was no ordinary expectation. The human affections and hopes were, no doubt, included but a new nation was to spring from him, and Isaac was the sole link making the connection. Then, too, he saw the coming Redeemer for Abraham saw my day and was glad" (John 0:56). It is only as we thus see all that Isaac meant to his fa- ther and Gods purpose for the future of the world, that we really can appre- ciate the crucial test that came to Abraham. A test in some sense sim liar comes to many Christian fathers and mothers. God is calling for sons and daughters to be offered on the al- tar of his service. The test is some thing terrific, as some who have given up sons and daughters for the mission field can testify. It is only as God Is known to be almighty Genesis 17:D shall ability be given to give them up.
 II. Abraham Standing the Test (vv. 2-1O).
 l. On the way (vv. 8, 4). Abraham promptly obeyed. There was neither hesitancy nor arguing. God had is sued the command. At his call Abra- ham said: Here am r. (v. D. He could not say "No" to God. In the ordinary affairs of life we call a man weak who cannot say "No," who has no will of his Own but the man who could not say "No" to God, we count strong. Early in the morning he was on the way to the place of which God had told him. All who really believe in God will yield themselves to him without question, reserve, or shrinking. Anything short of this IS not consecra- ton. We should not stop to ask how or why It is enough to know that God has spoken.
 ?. Abide ye here" (v. 3. This test ing experience was too sacred for hu- man eyes to gaze upon. How like this the words of Jesus in Gethsem- ane: ''Tarry ye here" Human sympa- thy IS sweet, and is to be prized, but we need to be alone in times of great testing. There are times when hu- man sympathy flinders us from doing our duty. When Abraham said: We will come down again to you," he spoke sincerely, for he believed that God would give him Isaac back from the dead (Heb. II: :19).
 3. Isaac bearing the wood upon which he is to be offered (vv. 6, D. This reminds us of Christ bearing the cross on the way to Calvary. Isaac must have been now young man. He did not resist or cry out, but graciously submitted, showing that he is making a willing sacrifice.
 1. The angel of the Lord calls (vv S-12). At the critical moment when Abraham's hand had lifted the gleam- ing blade to make real the offering, God interfered. God did not want hu- man sacrifice as a burnt offering, but he wanted Abraham to give up to him his best, the surrender of his will to him. God is always pleased with submissive obedience. gro obey is better than sacrifice" Many times we are face to face with the test of giving up our fondest hopes and pur- poses, but when we have met the test as Abraham did, we get hack our offer- ing or greater things Instead.
 III. God Will Provide Himself a Lamb (vv. 13, 14).
 Just behind Abraham was a ram caught in a thicket by his horns. Him Abraham offered instead of his son. In the words "God will provide himself a lamb (v. 8 we have the whole plan of redemption outlined. God has pro vided the costly sacrifice of his Son to satisfy himself.
 He who has no taste for order will