Genesis 22.  Abraham had just “lost” his older son, Ishmael, because God had commanded him to send the boy and his mother away.  Ishmael could not remain in the household because he represented Adam, God’s first creation, but not his only Son.

So now Abraham  is left with “his only son, Isaac” (2).  The LORD commands him to take Isaac to the land of Moriah and slaughter him, and burn him as an offering.  Abraham obeyed, perhaps thinking that God was going to raise Isaac from the dead.  Abraham had told his servants that God would provide a sacrifice.  God did provide a ram, caught in the thicket by his horns.  He provided a substitute.  Generations later, God provided a substitute: his only Son for Abraham’s.

LORD, thank you for providing for our greatest need: a substitute to die for our sins – your only Son, Jesus.