Day 21 Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today's Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Genesis 22–24
Difficult Tests of Faith
Has God ever asked us to do something difficult to test our faith? Are we tied up in knots, wondering what to do? Perhaps some of us, like the Biblical Patriarch, Abraham, moved to another country or another area with no family or friends. Maybe financial resources are drained, or our crops failed, and we don’t know how we can pay our bills and put food on the table. Perhaps, because of circumstances, we feel the pressure to lie or to otherwise compromise our integrity. These are difficult tests of faith. What should we do?
In today’s Bible reading, Abraham is presented with a monumental challenge to his faith. Examples from his life will encourage us to keep trusting the LORD through our circumstances.
God promised a baby to Abraham and Sarah, a natural heir. This seemed unlikely because Abraham was seventy-five and Sarah was seventy—too old to have children. But they waited…and waited…and waited….Still, no child.Miracle son
After fifteen more years, at last, Sarah becomes pregnant and has a baby boy. They name him Isaac, meaning “laughter.” Abraham and Sarah laugh in delight that they, senior citizens, finally have a child, a son to become their natural heir!
A monumental test of faith
Abraham and Sarah dote on their new son. Imagine Abraham’s shock, when several years later, God tells him to offer his beloved son, the son of his old age, his only natural heir, as a burnt offering upon Mount Moriah.
What? Why is the LORD making such an outrageous request? Has God suddenly changed his nature? Has he forgotten that Isaac is the promised heir? What the LORD tells Abraham to do makes no sense. What is God doing? Perhaps some of us are facing some perplexing situations and wonder the same thing.
What is Abraham’s response to God? Does he stubbornly refuse, try to run from the LORD, or hide his son? That would be understandable. Does he tell his wife what God said? We are not told that he did. No, Abraham gets up early in the morning, saddles his donkey, takes wood and a torch for the sacrifice. Then he, his servants, and his son Isaac start out for Mt. Moriah (Genesis 22:2).
Does Abraham change his mind along the way and back out? We would understand if he did. How many of us would be willing to sacrifice one of our children? According to Genesis 22:9, after preparing for the sacrifice, Abraham binds his son and puts him on the altar. He is about to sacrifice his son.
How could Abraham do it? What is he thinking?
Our first clue to these questions is the instruction he leaves with his servants. “He said to his servants, ‘Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you’” (Genesis 22:5, NIV, emphasis mine).
Our second clue is from the book of Hebrews.
By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” [Gen. 21:12]
Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death (Hebrews 11:17-19, NIV).
God stops Abraham from sacrificing his son—the LORD is consistent with his nature—he deplores human sacrifices (Leviticus 18:21; Jeremiah 7:31).
Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son.
So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.” (Genesis 22:13-14, NIV)
A monumental sacrifice
On that same mountain, a couple of thousand years later, another sacrifice would be offered—Jesus would be offered as a sacrifice for our sins on the cross. He would provide forgiveness, peace, and eternal life for the entire world, for all who trust in him.
Abraham’s obedient faith, to not withhold his only beloved son, proves his love and loyalty to God (Genesis 22:15-18). It also gives us a beautiful picture of how God did not withhold his only beloved Son Jesus Christ from being sacrificed for us (more...).
What do we do when God’s directions don’t make sense? We need to trust him anyway and keep following him. Perhaps he is testing our loyalty.
Burying and marrying faith
In time, Abraham’s wife, Sarah, dies. Burials were usually done in a person’s native land. Yet, Abraham doesn’t take her back to the city of Ur, from which they came. Instead, as a quiet testimony of his faith that God will eventually give him the land of Canaan (Genesis 23), Abraham buys land there for her burial. He purchases a part of the Promised Land and claims it as his new native land (The Bible Knowledge Commentary of the Old Testament, edited by Walvoord and Zuck, © 1985, p. 66). What do we do to lay claim to God’s promises? Will we act in faith?Choosing a mate is a challenging test of faith for many of us. Are we willing to let God choose for us, or do we think we can handle this decision ourselves? Abraham acts in faith, selecting a bride for his son Isaac (Genesis 24). Abraham knows it would be a bad idea to get a wife from Canaan—they are evil people. So, acting in faith, he sends his servant to the house of his near relatives in Northwest Mesopotamia. In our culture, we may choose our own mates, but in their culture the parents decided. Abraham believes God will help his servant to find a wife for Isaac, and, through providential circumstances, he does.
Perhaps getting a spouse is not what we desire or the decision we need to make at this time. Whatever big decisions we are facing, are we willing to trust God to lead us?
Discussion
What should we do when God’s instructions don’t make sense?
Why might God ask us to sacrifice something important to us?
Have you had a monumental test of faith? How does this story encourage you?
Focus Verse
Galatians 3:6 (NIV) “Consider Abraham: ‘He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.’”
You can watch a video of today's lesson here. Start at 25:36 and end at 35:28
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Looking Ahead: Having passed the difficult faith test, Abraham soon faces another challenge—how to get along with his neighbors. How do we have Peace With our Neighbors? Find out in our Next Lesson.
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