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Welcome and thank you again for taking a bible break to test your knowledge of God's word. This week's question:
To Genesis 22:1-2 we go to find the answer to our question. As you will see, the request of God does raise the eyebrows! "(1)Now it came about after these things that God tested Abraham, and He said to him, 'Abraham!' And he said 'Here I am.' (2)And 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 tell you."
Well, that is an interesting request of God. A human sacrifice of his son. His only son, and Abraham, over 100 years of age, must deal with this most difficult test placed before him. God will test us to see how we respond to Him in adverse conditions. What is most important to us, our faith, (Romans 10:17 "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God") or the safety of our selves. In James 1:13-15 we find that God does not tempt anyone that is left up to the great tempter himself, Satan. And if we give in to the tempter by our own lust, and it brings forth sin.
So how does Abraham deal with such a request of sacrificing his only son from Sarah? In verse 3 we see: The next morning he rises early, prepares the wood, and he goes with his son to Moriah without question to God. When they arrive at the place he asks his men to stay with the donkey, and he and his son go to build the altar. Isaac follows his father with great respect and only now asks Abraham in verse 7 "Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?" Abraham's response, "God will provide!"
Even as Abraham ties the young lad up, Isaac seems not to struggle against what would them become very obvious, 'Hey, I'm the sacrifice!' Abraham stretches his arm back, knife in hand, and at that point, an angel of the Lord holds it back, and God's comment-- in verse 12, "Now I know you fear God since you have not withheld your son, your only son from me!" How do we understand Abraham's great faith. This is a test that would not be easy to follow through on. Well, we remember the promise of a great nation through Isaac. That could only be done if he lives.
To the book of Hebrews 11:17-19 we go to understand the mindset of Abraham as he readies the sacrifice without any question. "He considered that God is able to raise men even from the dead". And so we have it, Abraham did not limit the ability of God, and proved his unwavering love of Him though a most difficult test.
So we too, when we are tested in this life, and we will be, (James 1:2-3" Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance."). How will we respond? Let us hold onto your faith and react with courage, as the brethren in Philippians 1:14 "and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear."
Let us too, look to the obedience of Abraham, the dutiful respect of his son Isaac, and learn how to please the Lord and may it be reckoned to us as righteousness!.
Thank you for taking of your time to test your knowledge of God's word.
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