Genesis 22:1-2 – The Test
God decides to test Abraham’s faith and love for Him. After so many hardships and difficulties are over in Abraham’s life, at a time of peace, this trial comes. We are never safe from the trials of this life until we get to heaven. God is the one who is testing Abraham to see if a strong faith can be brought out.
God comes to Abraham, calls him by name, and tells him to kill his son. There can be no more difficult test for Abraham. Anything else, animals by the thousands, he could have given up easily, but this is his son, his only son, all he has left after Ishmael has been sent away, and the son whom he has waited so long for and loves so much. But for God there must be no substitutions. God has commanded, and Abraham’s love of God must overrule all other considerations.
Abraham could have argued that God, who hates murder, couldn’t possibly want him to murder someone, especially Isaac, his son. God has given him no reason why he must do this. How will God multiply his seed if Isaac is killed? What will he say to Sarah? What will his neighbours think about the God he serves, when he tells them what he has done? All these questions might have gone through his mind, but God has commanded, so Abraham says nothing.
Questions
- What does God ask Abraham to do?
- Why would this be so hard for Abraham?
Prayer Points
- Pray that we would be willing to obey God no matter what it costs us.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters