“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.” (Genesis 22:1-3 NAS)
Abraham awoke as on other mornings. He arose and walked out into the sunlight of a new day, never giving thought to the possibility that a test was coming that would change his life. All day, it was business as usual, checking his accounts, supervising his servants, talking with his shepherds and enjoying his family. Then, about dusk, he went to his favorite place, the altar of God. And God spoke to him there.
When we read of this incredible test, one undeniable truth surfaces. God is the one giving the test. It was God who selected the sacrifice, designated the worship site, and gave the instructions to Abraham.
And God is not a passive observer. Instead, he is the instigator, the antagonist who challenges Abraham to prove his faith in God. Abraham would have to prove that nothing was more precious to him than his God. ‘Take your son.’ ‘Go to Moriah mountain.’ ‘Offer your son as a burnt sacrifice to me.’
Often we think of Old Testament narratives as mythological metaphors. But this was a real test for Abraham. Why did he respond so quickly to God’s test? Did he tell Sarah that he and Isaac were going to worship God at Moriah? If so, he must have left out the part about a sacrifice. Scholars tell us Beersheba was a three day journey from Moriah. Abraham must have had a tremendous struggle during that journey. Why did he leave his two young male servants behind, when he saw Moriah in the distance? Why did he place the firewood on Isaac but keep the knife and fire in his possession? What did Isaac think when his father began binding him to the altar?
Abraham completed the test when he raised his knife to kill the very son, whom God had said would fulfill the promise. In Genesis 12:4, he had submitted his past to God. In 17:1, he had surrendered his will to God. Now, in 22:10, he surrendered God’s promise back to God. And God was not surprised that Abraham successfully passed this test. He had simply offered Abraham an opportunity to exhibit his faith and trust in God.
Dear Father, thank you for your sacrifice on our behalf. Thank you for father Abraham’s example. Empower us to trust you with our future as he did with his. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be courageous today and trust God with your future,