Read the full passage of Genesis 22:1-14.
Abraham had faith and commitment to God that showed when he was being tested. He was tested to the maximum when God asked him to sacrifice his son, Isaac, His promise from God. This went against what Abraham knew about God. Abraham’s story shows three extreme tests of faith:
- God told Abraham to leave his people and country without knowing where he was going.
- God required Abraham to trust in his promise even though he didn’t see it fulfilled for 25 years
- God commanded that Abraham offer Isaac, the promised son, to be sacrificed.
All believers will face difficult tests of faith like Abraham did. In Abraham’s situation, God will show two ways of his followers are wholeheartedly serving Him. One way is to see if we have anything or anyone that we love more then Him. The second way is God will tets whether our hope is in God’s covenant or temporarily blessings from God’s covenant. Through this testing, Abraham had to see if his own heart was completely trusting, faithful, and honoring to God. Abraham had a strong faith in God.
Isaac was Abraham’s promised son. It was through Isaac that Abraham’s offspring would be named. Isaac represented Jesus in how he gave himself to his father’s sacrifice and in how he was saved from death. This foreshadowed Christ’s resurrection. God will provide for himself. He provided the ram to Abraham. He provided Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment of sacrifice for his people.
Have you examined your own heart on the faith you have in God?
Is there anything or one above God in your life?
Do you realize when you are being tested by God?
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for keeping your promises. Thank you for providing what is needed at the very moment it is needed. I pray that we will search our hearts and see if we are as faithful and honoring as Abraham was to you.
In Jesus Name
Amen
