“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
“After these things God tested Abraham…” Genesis 22:1
Why Does God Test Us?
- That might discover the authenticity of our .
- To remind us that He is .
- To produce in us a of faith for the .
God’s Command
Abraham’s Compliance
” 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.” – Genesis 22:3
- Abraham’s obedience is .
is nothing more than .
- Abraham’s faith was grounded in the of God’s promises.
- “On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.” – Genesis 22:4-5
- “He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.” – Hebrews 11:19
- Abraham’s faith was grounded in the of God.
- “And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together.” – Genesis 22:6
- “And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” – Genesis 22:7
- “Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together.” – Genesis 22:8
- Abraham’s faith was characterized by .
- “When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood.”- Genesis 22:9
- “Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. But the angel of the Lord called him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” – Genesis 22:10-11
- “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
- He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose. – Jim Elliot
God’s Test Concluded
- “And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. Genesis 22:13
- “So Abraham called the name of that place, “The LORD will provide”, as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided.” – Genesis 22:14