The Path: Genesis 22 SOAP Journal

The Path Journal was created to help you engage with Scripture, reflect on God’s truth, and grow in your faith journey. It’s a space to process God’s Word, wrestle with its meaning, and apply it to your life. Some passages challenge us to trust Him more deeply, like Genesis 22:8 and 12, where we’re reminded that God is always our provider. As you journal today, let this be an opportunity to reflect on what it means to surrender fully and trust in His perfect plan.

What is the SOAP Method?

The SOAP method is a simple yet powerful way to study the Bible, helping you slow down and engage with Scripture on a deeper level. By reading a passage (Scripture), reflecting on its meaning (Observation), applying it to your life (Application), and responding in Prayer, you create space for God’s Word to shape your heart and actions. For those developing in their faith and those strengthening their foundation, this method provides structure, making it easier to understand the Bible and build a habit of daily connection with God.

Diving into Genesis 22:8 and 12

Scripture

“Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together.” - Genesis 22:8

“He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.”” - Genesis 22:12

Observation

- Abraham had an incredible journey of faith, previously doubting in God's promises and trying to take matters into his own hands.  In this chapter, he submits fully and trusts fully in God's promises, even though God's command seems to directly contradict His promise

- Isaac foreshadows Jesus, the "only son", willingly carrying the wood of the offering up the hill to sacrifice his life.  His faith and submission to God's will is as commendable as his father's faith in this chapter.

- God's intention from the beginning was never to have Abraham actually go through with sacrificing his only son.  Instead, His plan was:

   - To reveal Abraham's faith

   - To demonstrate the need for a sacrifice

   - To point to the coming of the ultimate sacrifice in Jesus, the Lamb of God, who would take away the sins of the world

Application

- Sanctification is God's process for making us more like Him.  Recognize the times in your life when you've made mistakes, and ask God to teach you and help you learn and grow through those mistakes so that your faith may be strengthened like Abraham's was.

- Emulate Abraham's faith by:

   - Responding faithfully to God's calling (when God called, Abraham said "here I am")

   - Don't hesitate or make excuses (Abraham "rose early in the morning")

   - Give the glory to God ("Abraham called the name of that place, 'The Lord will provide'")

Prayer

Father, thank you that you did not withhold your only son from us.  You gave everything and spared nothing to save us.  Thank you for your perfect sacrifice as a ransom for all.  Give me faith to follow you no matter where it takes me, to respond to your calling and to always give you the glory.

Trusting in God's Provision and Plan

Genesis 22 reminds us that just as Abraham trusted God to provide, we are called to do the same, knowing that He is faithful in every season. We see Abraham’s unwavering faith as he tells Isaac, “God will provide for himself the lamb” and later hears the angel say, “Do not lay your hand on the boy.” This moment wasn’t just about sacrifice... it was about complete trust in God’s ultimate provision.

The Path Journal is more than a place for reflection; it’s an opportunity to grow in trust, obedience, and gratitude for the One who gave everything for us. May we live with the same faith that Abraham displayed, responding to God’s call with confidence and giving Him all the glory. Need more? We are praying and here for you no matter what season of life you are in.