I was a pretty good test-taker in school. I didn’t sweat them too much and usually got pretty good grades. On the other hand, God’s tests are much harder to pass. And I often don’t get advanced warning for when they’ll come! During God’s tests, He wants me to listen to His voice and respond immediately in obedience.
In Genesis 22, we see Abraham pass God’s test with flying colors. God tells us in this passage that this is a test. But that’s for our benefit right now; Abraham certainly didn’t know it at the time!
God asked Abraham to sacrifice “your only son, Isaac, whom you love” on a mountain that God would lead them to. Child sacrifice was a pagan practice at the time and probably didn’t shock Abraham as much as it shocks us today. But it still was something difficult that God asked Abraham to do.
So how did Abraham respond? He obeyed immediately without asking any questions. Haven’t we seen him do this before? :o) When God calls me to take a new step in my faith, am I ready to follow Him?
The test is not for God’s benefit. He wants Abraham to experience a spiritual victory and to grow in his trust and faith in God.
Side note…do you see how Isaac is a picture of Jesus Christ? Isaac could have refused to participate, but he was a willing participant. Jesus willingly put Himself on the cross to die for us. Isaac carried the wood for his sacrifice. Jesus carried his cross to the hill. And Isaac and Jesus both trusted their fathers. What a beautiful picture of what our Savior did for us!
This test shows that Abraham trusted God’s promises and had faith in God’s character. What sacrifice is God asking from me? What is God asking me to do to test my faith and love in Him? He never asks me to do something that I can’t do with His power.
Abraham bound Isaac and put him on top of the wood on the altar. Just as Abraham is ready to slay Isaac, he hears the angel of the Lord (the pre-incarnate Jesus Christ) who calls out to Abraham and tells him not to touch Isaac. Can you imagine the relief Abraham feels in that moment! Then God reveals the reason for the test – to demonstrate Abraham’s fear, reverence, respect and love for God.
Abraham had sacrificed Isaac in his head and heart; so Isaac would not be a physical sacrifice. Instead, God provides a ram for the blood sacrifice.
How well do I know the voice of God? I can’t hear the audible voice of God now, but He has given me His printed Word. How often do I spend time getting to know the Lord and His voice? The purpose of those times is to grow in my relationship with God and to learn to recognize His voice. What will I do this week to know His voice better?
Some time later, we see that Sarah dies at age 127. Abraham weeps and mourns at her death. He purchases land to bury Sarah. He gives her a place of honor and demonstrates that he believed God’s promise of land for his family. One day, Abraham’s descendants will be buried here. The land belonged to his family forever. Once again, Abraham demonstrates his faith in his decisions and actions.
I have to get Avery to say her verses on camera. I’ve been horrible about this ever since our Christmas break! Here was her verse for the week: