Most of us, after 100+ years following the Lord’s direction, would be somewhat lackadaisical and ready to call it finished. Most of us, after uprooting our family and traveling for years and years living in a tent would be ready to say I’ve obeyed, call on someone else Lord. Most of us, after waiting some 90 years for a promised child, and only having one, would not to respond to the Lord’s calling for that child to be offered as a sacrifice. Most of us, at an old age, when called to climb a mountain would search for transportation. But Abraham, when called by God, said “Here I am.” (not once but three times in this report by the way) And because he responded obediently to the test, we have all received a blessing.
The story of Abraham’s test in Genesis 22 is familiar to nearly everyone. When told to take his only true son, Isaac, up the mountain and offer him as a burnt offering, Abraham obeyed. In fact, he didn’t tarry, but rose early in the morning and started the trip. And, it wasn’t exactly nearby. After three days, he saw Mount Moriah at a distance. At this point, he had his young helpers wait while he and Isaac took the wood and fire up the mountain.
“Then they came to the place of which God had told him; and Abraham built the altar there, and arranged the wood; and bound his son Isaac, and laid him on the altar on top of the wood. And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven, and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said “Here I am.” And he said, “Do not stretch out your hand against the lad, and do nothing to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”’ Genesis 22:9-12
You know the rest of the story about that ram caught in the thicket. But, perhaps you haven’t thought recently about some of the lessons in this passage. Take a moment to reflect on these points.
The Command - True faith must learn to do without everything or everyone but God. It is not so much in what we love...but in what we love the more.
The Compliance - Faith demands a radical, illogical, absurd and unconventional obedience. Faith is often a lonely journey. Only unshakable trust in God’s Word will enable one to see God’s commands in the light of His promises.
The Consequence - True obedience of faith is never unseen and never unrewarded.
Mount Moriah has become a very famous place, what Abraham called “The Lord Will Provide.” And provide He did. God greatly blessed Abraham and multiplied his seed as the stars of the heavens. And in Abraham’s seed all the nations of the earth have been blessed. Genesis 22:17,18
Where’s your Mount Moriah? How have you been tested? And even more important, how did you respond?
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