“Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide.” – Genesis 22:13-14
For several years when I was in my 20s, I was part of a women’s small group at the church I attended. Being in fellowship and friendship with that group of women played a pivotal role in my life during my single years.
During our time together, when discussing certain life situations and circumstances, we began to cultivate a catch-phrase saying…. “The ram was in the woods.”
When we would tell stories to one another or pray together, it became a bit of a running spiritual joke. “Of course, the ram was in the woods.”
We were referencing the story of Abraham and Isaac found in Genesis 22. Abraham and Sarah had been promised by God that they would have a son. As much as they wanted to trust in the Lord, they both were advanced in age and began to lose hope that God’s declaration would come to pass. But just as God had ordained, Sarah eventually gave birth to their son, Isaac.
When Isaac was a boy, God tested Abraham’s faith and obedience: “God said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about.” (Genesis 22:1-3.)
Despite waiting in expectant hope for many years for the birth of their son, Abraham willingly obeyed God by taking Isaac to the region of Moriah to be sacrificed. Abraham held onto hope that God would provide a sacrificial substitute for Isaac. In verse 8, we read, “Abraham answered, ‘God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.'”
Abraham obeyed and trusted God to the very moment of preparing to sacrifice Isaac. In verses 10-18 we read, “Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.” The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time and said, “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore.Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”
During my season of friendship with my women’s group, we collectively experienced significant life changes and shifts. As we matured in our faith and prayed for each woman to grow in her relationship with God, we became more confident and obedient to trust in the Lord’s plan for our lives, even when God’s promptings defied logic or did not make sense to us at the time. We depended upon His providence as we made risky career changes, navigated how to retain our Christian convictions during challenging situations, ended romantic relationships and began new ones, and humbly exited friendships with individuals who hindered our spiritual walks.
When we would share our decisions to be obedient to God in the face of uncertain circumstances, we would always excitedly proclaim how our faithfulness produced good fruits – alternative sacrifices for what we believed we would be giving up by trusting our Father’s directives.
“Of course, the ram was in the woods!”
Of course, God will come through, sometimes at the very last minute. He never provides His children a command without the ram being in the woods.
Like Abraham, we were learning to turn over to God the longings of our heart and the desires that were most precious to us. God was growing our faith, stretching our muscles of obedience, and providing provisions greater than our wildest dreams.
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him.” – Jeremiah 17:7