The Master Theme of the Bible - David Macdonald - a podcast by NBC Podium

Now Adam slept with his wife, Eve, and she became pregnant. When the time came, she gave birth to Cain, and she said, "With the LORD's help, I have brought forth a man!" (2) Later she gave birth to a second son and named him Abel. When they grew up, Abel became a shepherd, while Cain was a farmer. (3) At harvest time Cain brought to the LORD a gift of his farm produce, (4) while Abel brought several choice lambs from the best of his flock. The LORD accepted Abel and his offering, (5) but he did not accept Cain and his offering. This made Cain very angry and dejected. (6) "Why are you so angry?" the LORD asked him. "Why do you look so dejected? (7) You will be accepted if you respond in the right way. But if you refuse to respond correctly, then watch out! Sin is waiting to attack and destroy you, and you must subdue it." (8) Later Cain suggested to his brother, Abel, "Let's go out into the fields." And while they were there, Cain attacked and killed his brother.

Genesis 22 a picture of:
A lamb as provision.
A lamb as a sacrifice
The relationship of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ
One of the most important pictures of faith in the Bible –

(17) It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God's promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, (18) though God had promised him, "Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted." (19) Abraham assumed that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back to life again. And in a sense, Abraham did receive his son back from the dead. - Hebrews 11:17-19 NLT

Gen 22:1-2 NASB Now it came about after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am." He said, "Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.“

Trust in God’s sovereign control:
Example – life of Joseph
Romans 8:28 – some things, most things, all things
Check value of your faith – by having it tested
Easy when things are good – What about when things are not so great?
Abraham – heartbroken Abram (exalted father) ? Abraham (father of multitude)
Real test of who Abraham loved most
"A religion which costs nothing is worth nothing" —J.C. Ryle


Abraham’s response:
Emotions not mentioned – not the focus
Decision based on God’s character – knowing God
Is God fickle?
Is God faithful?
Can He be trusted or not?
“We” will return
Concluding = Logically calculate
Logically based on the promises of God
What do you do when a situation seems illogical?
Reason in light of God’s character

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