Abraham tested
Genesis 21:1-3:
God gave Abraham a son whom he promised when Abraham was 100 years old. Issac means "he laughs".
Genesis 21:12-13:
Both Issac and Ishmael will be great nations but it is only through Issac will Abraham's offspring be regconized.
12 But God said to him, "Do not be so distressed about the boy and your maidservant. Listen to whatever Sarah tells you, because it is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned. 13 I will make the son of the maidservant into a nation also, because he is your offspring."
Genesis 22:1-2
Just like in Genesis 12:1, God is telling Abraham to obey in the midst of many uncertainties and unknowns.. God told Abraham twice, "just go now and I'll show you where later." - Gen 12:1 & Gen 22:1-2
Genesis 22:3-4
Abraham did not delay or give excuses to not obey, in fact he left early next morning. I was thinking probably because Abraham remembered God's promise about through Issac that his offspring will br recognized thus he went ahead with the sacrifice knowing that Issac will not die and be gone forever. But he could have jolly well used this promise as an "excuse" to not sacrifice Issac & cover up his unwillingness to obey.
He continued to act in faith while remembering the promise. There must be more than this.
Genesis 22:5-8
Job1:21
"Naked I came from my mother's womb,
and naked I will depart.
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
may the name of the LORD be praised."
Abraham was willing to give back to God what God has given to him. Something that is really difficult to carry out.. studies, possessions...
but his words of faith revealed that he will get back his son.
5 He said to his servants, "Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you."
8 Abraham answered, "God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." And the two of them went on together.
And his faith was rewarded...
13 Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, "On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided."
Genesis 22:9-10
Abraham was able to act in faith in the situations which he did not understand because he had experience God before (Gen12:1) and tasted the goodness of God's plans. He was able to believe and trust in God also because he had a close relationship with God and knew that God will only do things that will benefit his life.
Genesis 22:11-12
I was thinking God probably just wanted to test Abraham's obedience and never meant to want Issac as a sacrifice.. i think even the bible mentions human sacrifice is forbidden.. see:
Deu 18:10
10 Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft,
Even if Abraham did not want to sacrifice his son, i dun think God will take away his salvation but definately he will not be blessed and WE will not be blessed as well because:
15 The angel of the LORD called to Abraham from heaven a second time 16 and said, "I swear by myself, declares the LORD , that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, 18 and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me."
For our application, when God tests us.. he simply wants to reward us. Either to bless us with more responisibility to earn more rewards in our lifetime OR to strengthen us from our weaknesses and reward the obedience. Maybe sometimes we are tested in the "let go" test just like Abraham was tested so long so long ago.. but God will not take away from us things that will benefit us, even if he does, is because he's got something better...
Simple to put in words, tough to put in action. But when tested, God will provide the strength for us to respond biblically cause:
God gave Abraham a son whom he promised when Abraham was 100 years old. Issac means "he laughs".
Genesis 21:12-13:
Both Issac and Ishmael will be great nations but it is only through Issac will Abraham's offspring be regconized.
12 But God said to him, "Do not be so distressed about the boy and your maidservant. Listen to whatever Sarah tells you, because it is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned. 13 I will make the son of the maidservant into a nation also, because he is your offspring."
Genesis 22:1-2
Just like in Genesis 12:1, God is telling Abraham to obey in the midst of many uncertainties and unknowns.. God told Abraham twice, "just go now and I'll show you where later." - Gen 12:1 & Gen 22:1-2
Genesis 22:3-4
Abraham did not delay or give excuses to not obey, in fact he left early next morning. I was thinking probably because Abraham remembered God's promise about through Issac that his offspring will br recognized thus he went ahead with the sacrifice knowing that Issac will not die and be gone forever. But he could have jolly well used this promise as an "excuse" to not sacrifice Issac & cover up his unwillingness to obey.
He continued to act in faith while remembering the promise. There must be more than this.
Genesis 22:5-8
Job1:21
"Naked I came from my mother's womb,
and naked I will depart.
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
may the name of the LORD be praised."
Abraham was willing to give back to God what God has given to him. Something that is really difficult to carry out.. studies, possessions...
but his words of faith revealed that he will get back his son.
5 He said to his servants, "Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you."
8 Abraham answered, "God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." And the two of them went on together.
And his faith was rewarded...
13 Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, "On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided."
Genesis 22:9-10
Abraham was able to act in faith in the situations which he did not understand because he had experience God before (Gen12:1) and tasted the goodness of God's plans. He was able to believe and trust in God also because he had a close relationship with God and knew that God will only do things that will benefit his life.
Genesis 22:11-12
I was thinking God probably just wanted to test Abraham's obedience and never meant to want Issac as a sacrifice.. i think even the bible mentions human sacrifice is forbidden.. see:
Deu 18:10
10 Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft,
Even if Abraham did not want to sacrifice his son, i dun think God will take away his salvation but definately he will not be blessed and WE will not be blessed as well because:
15 The angel of the LORD called to Abraham from heaven a second time 16 and said, "I swear by myself, declares the LORD , that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, 18 and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me."
For our application, when God tests us.. he simply wants to reward us. Either to bless us with more responisibility to earn more rewards in our lifetime OR to strengthen us from our weaknesses and reward the obedience. Maybe sometimes we are tested in the "let go" test just like Abraham was tested so long so long ago.. but God will not take away from us things that will benefit us, even if he does, is because he's got something better...
Simple to put in words, tough to put in action. But when tested, God will provide the strength for us to respond biblically cause:
1 Corinthians 10:13
13No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
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