Genesis 22:1-14 // Tested Faith
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o The point of this story revolves around a test that God gave to Abraham.
This leads us to two ultimate conclusions:
What was God looking for?
How was Abraham able respond to the test with faith?
After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”
“God tested Abraham”
By this time (assuming Isaac’s age) Abraham must have settled in to raising the promised son who would grow into a nation…
This test must have seemed to come out of nowhere…
God’s test for Abraham defied what Abraham knew about God’s character (logic) and what Abraham knew about God’s promise. (Isaac)
He only knew “what” God asked him to do.
The heart of the test seemed to be: “Take your most treasured possession and sacrifice it.”
In other words,
What is more important to you. The promise or the promise giver.
This is our tie-in to the story.
We understand Historically this even took place as God unfolded His promise to offer salvation to the world.
We will not be asked to sacrifice our children on an alter but we are told the greatest command in scripture is…
Love God with ALL your heart, soul, mind, & strength.
When you realize what the ALL entails (the things closest to your heart) THEN you begin to understand that weight of the most important commandment in the Bible.
So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar.
“So Abraham rose early in the morning…”
When you understand what God is asking you to do, you immediately make preparations to do it.
Note that Abraham DID NOT try to resolve the supposed conflict but trusted in God to do what is right.
And he moved.
Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God.
Faith + Works
How do you prepare your heart to respond with this kind of faith?
How do you prepare your heart to respond with this kind of faith?
Verse 5: “…I and the boy will go … worship … and come to you again.”
Rely on God’s promises that has already been given.
By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.”
Hebrews 11:17-18: sheds light on what Abraham was saying here.
He wasn’t saying that Isaac will not die.
He wasn’t saying, “I know God will not make me endure the pain of losing my son.”
He was counting on God’s promise that Isaac will live, even if that meant resurrection.
He was saying, “I know God promised to make Isaac a great nation and He will ultimately keep His promise.”
Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 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.”
“Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. But the angel of the Lord…”
Remember that God knows the plans for you.
Remember that God knows the plans for you.
(see Jeremiah 29:11) ...God knows them.
Implication here is that we often don’t know or even when we do, we do not know the full extent of it.
Even when you don’t understand anything, God knows everything.
So, trust Him, even when it doesn’t make sense.
This truth is also seen where Jesus tells us not to worry. (Luke 12:25)
Question 1: What was God looking for?
Verse 12: “For now I know that you fear God.”
Faith works together with works (action)
James 2:21-23
Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God.
What is in my life that I would not be willing to sacrifice for God.
Question 2: How was Abraham able respond to the test with faith?
Verse 14: “God will provide…”
Even if I have to suffer loss first.
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
We serve a God who promises blessing AFTER the trial.
(when you use Abrahams logic that might mean after this life.)