God ‘TESTS’ us to CONFIRM our COMMITMENT to HIM!
January 8
Bible Reading: Genesis Chapters 22-24
God ‘TESTS’ us to CONFIRM our COMMITMENT to HIM!
Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him,
"Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am." Then He said,
"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 on one of the mountains of
which I shall tell you." (Gen 22:1-2)
This is the seventh time that God revealed Himself
to Abraham since Abraham came to the land of Canaan. In this instance God tested Abraham in order to give Abraham
an opportunity to show his true character and confirm his commitment to God. This
incident also reveals remarkable faith both on the part of Abraham and Isaac,
and evidently points to the future sacrifice of God’s only Son, Jesus Christ
for us.
Isaac was
the only ‘true’ son of covenant
promise (17:1) born to Abraham and Sarah bringing ‘laughter’ to them in their old age (21:12). Thus, God’s
requirement of Abraham to sacrifice Isaac was the supreme test that would demonstrate both Abraham’s reverence for
God and his confidence in God’s faithfulness to keep His covenant promise. The
writer of Hebrews reveals to us that Abraham prepared to offer up his beloved
Isaac being fully convinced that God would raise Isaac from death itself (Heb.
11:19). However, God made a timely
intervention and provided a ram to be sacrificed instead of Isaac (22:12-14).
This is a
dramatic foreshadowing of God’s offering His only begotten Son to die in our
place (John 3:16). The place where
Abraham traveled for three days to sacrifice Isaac – Moriah - is the mountain
range where Jerusalem is situated (2 Chron. 3:1), and also where Calvary stood.
The two words ‘love’ (v. 2) and ‘worship’ (v. 5) are first found here in Scriptures.
Abraham’s love for his son is a picture of God’s love for His only begotten Son Jesus Christ. The sacrifice of Isaac
is a picture of the greatest act of worship—the
Savior’s self-sacrifice to accomplish His Father’s will. God provided a ram
(22:13) in place of Isaac also illustrates Jesus dying in our place.
We should be
clear that God does not tempt anyone
with evil (James 1:13); but He tests us
to prove our faith, loyalty and commitment to Him (James 1:2; 1 Pet. 1:6,
7). This episode in Abraham’s life was a test
of his faith (if Abraham really trusted God over everything), this was a test of his hope (if Abraham had hope in God alone for providence), and this
was a test of his love (if Abraham
loved God more than his beloved son).
If we will believe and obey God like Abraham, He will reward our faith as well
with His goodness and righteousness!
