Up to Genesis 22, Abraham has revealed that: (1) he will trust God with an unshakable faith, but (2) he is not perfect. He’s twice lied about his wife, Sarah, and attempted to “help” God in fulfilling His promise of Seed through his wife’s maidservant, Hagar. At this point it would be easy to dismiss Abraham as just another fickle human. And while he has demonstrated that his broken heart burns for self-preservation, he is nevertheless marked by God. This simple fact should be enough to satisfy the uncertainty as to whether or not God will work through broken vessels of the human race with their struggles of sin, but God doesn’t leave us with that option in this story. No, He gives us another glimpse into the faith of this wayfaring pilgrim. James, the brother of Christ, writes in his letter about faith, and he juxtaposes Abraham’s faith in Genesis 15 to his profound faith once again demonstrated below…
“Now it came about after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.” So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him and Isaac his son; and he split wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. On the third day Abraham raised his eyes and saw the place from a distance. Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey, and I and the lad will go over there; and we will worship and return to you.””
Genesis 22:1-5
7 observations to consider regarding God’s work through Abraham:
- “…God tested Abraham…”
- God does not leave His beloved untested and unproved. In other words, Abraham made a profession of faith in Genesis 15 that is later used by the New Testament authors to confirm that through faith one is declared righteous before God. However, in this passage above, God provides the avenue whereby Abraham will demonstrate a faith that validates [justifies] his previous profession of faith in Genesis 15.
- “…He [God] said to him…”
- The relationship between God and Abraham is such that God will not abandon or retract His promise. He remains faithful even though Abraham has at times been faithless.
- “…Take now your son…offer him there as a burnt offering…“
- The most precious part of Abraham’s life is wrapped up directly in his son, Isaac. As a father, he has to certainly ache at the thought of losing his son, but more than that he is being asked to end the life of the one through whom the promises of God were said to be fulfilled.
- “…Abraham rose early…”
- The response of Abraham to God’s command was resolute and unshakeable.
- “…he [Abraham] split wood…”
- With every split log brought about by the crashing of his metal axe through the wood fibers, Abraham was forced to consider the necessary amount to haul on his journey in order to successfully burn through his sacrifice.
- “…on the third day…”
- Abraham’s journey was long and entailed the company of his son throughout its duration.
- “…we will worship and return…”
- As Abraham arrived at Moriah, and just before he raised the knife to slay his son–the sacrifice–he made a profession of profound faith by suggesting that “we” will return after worship. It is here that the faith of Abraham–as made clear in the book of Hebrews–was validated [justified]. Before he ever built the altar of sacrifice, arranged the wood, laid his son down upon the altar, and raise the knife to stop the heart of this promised one, Abraham’s faith was complete.
Are there times in your life when you question your circumstances or situations? Can you in those moments let yourself ask the unanswerable “why ?’s”? Why this, why that, why me, why them? If we’re honest, we all to some degree have to answer, yes. There are times when we’re faced with the unexplained–and we simply don’t have all the answers–and for many this is the most challenging place to be. However, it is in that crucible of fire that we find God’s peace most serene and His promises most sure. The promise of the Bible is not that you “do” to obtain faith and God’s promises, but as you are–as a result of your faith–you will do…has the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice. So, how does one’s obedience please the Father? As one is a son or daughter through faith–like Abraham of old–one obeys the very Word of God.
What, then, is one to obey? The Bible defines both specific applications, as well as general principles that are to be applied to everyday life. And the most glorious aspects to being a son or daughter of the King is that you are supplied with the Spirit of God to illuminate His Word, to convict your soul of sin, and to move you to fellowship within a local church whereby you can worship the Father in admonition, counsel, and sharpening together with His beloved. Are you a son or daughter of the King? Do you obey His Word?
— August 26, 2016