Genesis 22:4 “Then on the third day Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place afar off.”
When Abraham was asked by God to give up the son of promise, Abraham had a 3-day journey to the land of Moriah (modern day Jerusalem), where God ask him to perform this sacrifice. Most of the time we look at this verse through the lens of Jesus’ 3-day period in the tomb, and for good reason: Genesis chapter 22 is a perfect picture of the sacrifice of Jesus roughly 2,000 years later.
But another point of consideration is what Abraham felt on this 3-day journey. As he made the trek to Moriah, what when through his mind? How did he reconcile this request from God with what he knew of God’s character? How did he handle the thought of losing the son of promise, knowing full well that it was doubtful they could have another child? What sense of doom did he feel knowing what was coming?
Hebrews 11:17-19 tells us that Abraham figured that God could raise Isaac from the dead, so we know that ultimately his faith in God triumphed over any concerns he had about this call to obedience. But is it realistic to think that this belief in God’s promise came easy, and without deep struggle? What were those three days like for Abraham, during this time of testing?
As believers, we go through times of testing and trial of our own. We can be in a place where we doubt God and His promises. We can have great struggles of faith and hope during these times. Like Abraham, we have our own “3-day” journeys in life, when things can appear dark and hopeless.
Abraham ultimately saw God’s deliverance, in the form of a ram caught in the thicket. And that is a promise to all believers who are going through times of trial and testing. If you are in a time of deep trial, a time of deep despair, where your faith is shaken to its core, know that there is a ram caught in the thicket waiting for you. Your deliverance from the trial is already secured by God, even if you don’t see it yet. As with Abraham, your 3-day journey will end with God’s deliverance as well. It’s hard to see it when you are on that journey, but you do have a ram caught in a thicket waiting for you. God will deliver you, and like Abraham, your faith will be matured. Just keep your eyes on the Deliverer, who won’t let us down.
“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:3-5 (NKJV)
Jeff's Random Bible Thoughts 
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