Genesis 22:1-24
Abraham's faith had been put to the test many times. The initial test came when God called him to leave his homeland to go to a foreign land that He would show him. Abraham obeyed, and departed from Ur not knowing where he was going. His faith was tested again when the Lord told him, when he was childless, that he would have a son and descendants galore, great in number like the stars in heaven. Abraham believed, and it was counted to him for righteousness. Abraham's greatest trial came when God said to him, "Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering...." Genesis 22:2.
The next morning Abraham arose early and headed off with two young men and Isaac. They traveled for three days, and Abraham saw the mountain afar off. He said to the young men, "Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you." What? Abraham was going to offer Isaac as a sacrifice. How could they both return?
Faith always focuses on God's promise. In the previous chapter the Lord had promised, "In Isaac your seed shall be called." Genesis 21:12. God could not keep His promise if Isaac was dead. In Hebrews 11:17-19 we read, "By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, 'In Isaac your seed shall be called,' concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead...." Abraham believed that the Lord would raise up Isaac from the dead!
On the way up the mountain Isaac said, "Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" Abraham answered, "My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering."
They came to the place that God had appointed, and "Abraham built an altar there and placed the wood in order; and he bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, upon the wood." What a sight! "And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son." At that moment the Angel of the Lord spoke from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham! Do not lay your hand on the lad...; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your only son, from Me." Abraham saw a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. He took the animal, and offered it to the Lord. "And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide." Abraham passed the greatest test of his faith. God's promise always leads to God's provision.
God also has a Son, whom He did not spare. His name is Jesus. He is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16.
How do you respond to the test of your faith? The genuineness of your faith is more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire. May it be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Your Son. Increase our faith. Teach us not to complain and murmur when things don't go our way. We know that You test us to bring out the best in us. Have Your way in our lives. In Jesus name. Amen!