LESSON 7 IDOLS WE NEVER KNEW WE HAD— FAMILY One of the greatest blessings that God gives us in this lifetime is the gift of family. Almost irrespective of how smooth or troubled a person’s family life has been, regardless of whether they are a believer or unbeliever, virtually every single person on the planet will tell you that “family” is a beautiful concept. When organizations of people with no biological ties are functioning really well, the environment is often described as “like a family.” When you see that type of praise used universally, it’s obvious that a blessing is inherently wonderful. But is it possible that family ties could be too close? Can even family become a very real idol to us—a good thing that we’re tempted to turn into a god thing?
Genesis 22:1-18 22 Some time later God tested Abraham. He called to him, “Abraham!” Abraham answered, “I am here.” 2God said, “Now take your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of
Moriah. Offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains there, the one to which I direct you.” 3Abraham got up early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men
with him, along with Isaac his son. Abraham split the wood for the burnt offering. Then he set out to go to the place that God had told him about. 4On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go on over
there. We will worship, and then we will come back to you.” 6Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and loaded it on Isaac his son. He took the firepot and the knife in his hand. The two of them went on together. 7Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father?”
He said, “I am here, my son.” He said, “Here are the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” 8Abraham said, “God himself will provide the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So the two
of them went on together. 9They came to the place that God had told him about. Abraham built the altar there. He arranged the wood, tied up Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar on top of the wood. 10Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. 11The Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven, “Abraham, Abraham!” © 2016 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission.