Jump Start # 130

Genesis 22:10-12 “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.” 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.”

  Our passage today takes us to that powerful lesson about Abraham offering Isaac. God told him to sacrifice Isaac, the child of promise. This was a test. God wanted to see if Abraham’s faith would be greater than his doubts and fears. At this point in the Bible, no one had ever been resurrected. Abraham didn’t know what God would do. He and Isaac traveled three days to the place. They built an altar. He laid Isaac on the altar, took his knife and was ready to sacrifice him.

  The sacrifice of an animal was a bloody event. The animal was slain, blood collected, the body cut up and burned. In some later sacrifices, the priests would eat part of the sacrifice and burn the rest of it to God. Racing through Abraham’s mind was not just the command to kill his only son, but to cut him up and burn him. Why? Because God said so. How would he explain this to his wife, Sarah. Would she believe him? Had he misunderstood God? Is this really what God wanted?

  Abraham was old. Isaac, most likely a teenager. I expect the youthful Isaac walked in front of Abraham. The old Abraham, watched his son. I expect he prayed and prayed. Maybe God will stop us when we get to the place. No. Maybe God will stop us when the altar is built. No. Maybe when Isaac is placed on the altar. No. It is remarkable that Isaac goes along with this. What must have raced through his mind as well? Finally, when the knife is raised and Abraham is ready to strike, God stops.

  The angel declares, “Now I know that you fear God.” Did God not know this? Already, Abraham obeyed by leaving his homeland and traveling as God had said. Already, Abraham had believed and accepted the promise of God in Isaac. But how much did he really believe?

  That’s what tests do—they reveal what is there. School tests, driving tests, medical tests. And, especially tests of faith. James begins his book by saying, “Consider it all joy, my brethren when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” That’s hard. It’s hard to be joyful in any tests: medical, school, and especially of faith.

  I wonder if God could say the same thing about us, “Now I know” ? Now I know they believe. Now I know they will do anything I say. Is it any wonder that Abraham is called the “friend of God.” His faith demonstrated that he would do anything God asked.

   Will our faith be tested? Probably. How? God doesn’t speak directly to us as He did Abraham, but our faith may be tested in doing what His word says. Let your light shine—stand out or blend in? That’s a test. Be holy—pure or unrighteous? That’s a test.

  Now I know. Not only did God know, but now, Abraham knew. He passed the test! This gives us much to think about. Wonder how I’d do? Now I know. Great statement. Great declaration of faith.

Roger