Genesis 22:1-19
There is so much symbolism in this passage, which foreshadows God’s sacrifice of His beloved Son on that same mountain. However, in our context of Abraham’s faith journey, we will focus on what this event meant for him.
Verse 1 tells us clearly that God’s instruction to Abraham to take his son and sacrifice him as a burnt offering was a test. Tests are likened in the Bible to the process of refining precious metals (see Psalm 66:19-11, Isaiah 48:10, Zechariah 13:9). They reveal how much faith is in our hearts and what is mixed with it (e.g. fear, unbelief, rebellion etc) and, if we are willing to let go of those things, times of testing will purify our faith.
Isaac is thought to have been been aged between 20 and 37 at this point, so Abraham has walked with God for many years now. However, this was probably the most challenging situation he had faced yet. How could the Lord ask him to do such a thing? Abraham must have wrestled with all sorts of thoughts and feelings, yet he was obedient to God’s command.
We have seen Abraham go through a number of previous tests on his spiritual journey and each one showed where he was lacking in faith and obedience. However, he had learned more of God every time and here we see that he had finally come to a point where he knew His God and was fully submitted to Him.
His mind was submitted. He must have had lots of questions. Why was God telling him to sacrifice the very son whom He had given and through whom He had promised that Abraham would have many descendants? Hebrews 11:17 tells us that he did not try to work it all out on the basis of natural reasoning. He was content to know that God could raise Isaac from the dead if necessary.
His emotions were submitted. We can only imagine the anguish of knowing that he had to kill his own beloved child. Yet Abraham did not allow himself to be controlled by those emotions. He was able to put them to one side in order to fulfil what he had been told to do. He calmly and methodically prepared what he needed and journeyed for three days without telling anyone what he was facing.
His will was submitted. God had asked him to do something that he really did not want to do. Everything inside him must have been revolted by the very idea of sacrificing his son, yet Abraham chose obedience. He had learned that he could trust God even when he did not see or understand and that obeying His leading is always best for us.
James 1:2-4 tells us:
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, [3] knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. [4] But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
The Hebrew word used in this passage is nasa, which means “to examine a person’s heart and intentions to reveal their true nature. But the is same root word also means “ to lift or carry”. This connection implies that tests are an opportunity for elevation. When God sees faith in our hearts He knows we are ready for a higher position.
James 4:10 “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”
Are you willing to allow God to refine your faith as He did for Abraham?
Prayer
Lord God,
I thank You that every time I go through a period of testing You are working in me to purify my faith. Thank You that Your desire is to equip me with a purity of faith and character that will enable me to do great things for Your kingdom. Help me to be willing to cooperate with You refining process in my life and to let go of every wrong thought and desire that pollutes my faith.
Amen.
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