Study 3c : Abraham - His Trial Of His Faith - CHARACTER STUDY SERIES

Study 3c : Abraham - His Trial Of His Faith

Text: Genesis 22:1-18

There comes a time in our Christian life and ministry that God allows some situations and circumstances, contrary to our expectations, in which our faith in Him will be severely tested to prove our faithfulness and love. Abraham had an occasion of such. Before now Abraham had waited in tears and patience for 24 years for the blessing of a child from God. By and by Sarah conceived and had Isaac, meaning laughter. Abraham then started nursing and nurturing him as heir with him of the promise of God lsaac was Abraham's only son whom he loved (Genesis 22:2)

Generally Abraham love Isaac so much and in Isaac was the promise son God promise Abraham:

• (a) In lsaac, the hope of being the father of many nations was sustained.
• (b) The shame of childlessness was taken away.
• (c) The marriage of Sarah to him was made meaningful.
• (d) Abraham could see the faithfulness of God in his life.
• (e) The sorrow of Sarah and her husband was turned to joy.

As Abraham grew older, he saw the dream of a perpetuated relationship with God in lsaac being fulfilled. And in considering his expected departure from this world could have said like Simeon: "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation," - Luke 2:29-30, (2 Timothy 4:7-8) But beyond every human imagination, God at this point of Abraham's life made an unusual demand which was the sacrifice of his only son lsaac whom he loved dearly. The Bible says: "And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of." - Genesis 22:2.

Anybody could have been staggered by this demand and made to question the authenticity of that demand as coming from God. But Abraham was sure that it was God talking, and he obeyed. This is nerve shattering! (Hebrews 3:8-9). Without any doubt there are times in our walk with God that he makes certain demands on us that are very tasking, challenging and at other times absurd. What normally is your response?

We are told that when God told Abraham, he "... rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him and lsaac his son and cleave the wood for the burnt offering, and went to the place which God had told him." This was complete obedience, total submission and unconditional surrender to the perfect will of God.

There was no indication that Abraham consulted or rationalized the word of God with Sarah. You can imagine what her reaction could have been if he did. Even if Sarah consented, it could have been in tears and heaviness of heart! All told:

Abraham as God's friend, prepared to sacrifice "ISAAC'". Isaac gave the laughter of joy and hope to Abraham and Sarah, but God's demand was that which gave them laughter and was to be sacrificed - for God's sake! Is there an "Isaac" in your life that God wants you to sacrifice that you are holding back? Think again.

The journey to the place where God had appointed for the sacrifice took three days which was enough time for Abraham to have changed his mind as he looked into the face of lsaac which glittered with warmth and hope for him. The climax of it came when lsaac said to him "...My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" - Genesis 22:7 Abraham was a man of like passion as we are. How do you think he would have felt at this question?

At the time he wanted to proceed alone to the mountain with Isaac, he had said to his servants "And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you." - Genesis 22:5. In response to Isaac's question, he also said "...My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together." - Genesis 22:8. These were two prophetic statements of faith which eventually came to pass.

But one would wonder what actually inspired this kind of faith in Abraham. The word of God of course! The Bible says: "By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure." - Hebrews 11:17-19 Abraham believed God's people that in him and his seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. Paul also put it this way: "And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform." - Romans 4:21. So, there was no way God in divine integrity would fail in his promise.

Another thing that could have further strengthened the faith of Abraham is where God said in the scripture to his people: "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." - Jeremiah 29:11 God did not plan any evil for Abraham but only tested his faith and reassured him of his steadfast love. (Genesis 22:15-18) HE really gave Abraham an expected end. HE will do the same to you as you surrender to HIS perfect will. AMEN

Memory Verse: "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous." - 1 John 5:3

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