Genesis 22:1-24

As many times as Abraham has messed up with what seem to be easy tests, I am amazed at his willingness to obey God in this the hardest test imaginable.  There are times where we might have wondered about Abraham’s character and walk with God.  This chapter lays those doubts to rest once and for all.
ABRAHAM’S COMPLETE OBEDIENCE TO GOD: God commanded Abraham to do the unthinkable.  He was to take Isaac, the son that he had waited for so long to come, and sacrifice him on an altar as a burnt offering to God.  The Scriptures do not record any argument or debate from Abraham.  Rather, he gets up early the next morning packs his supplies grabs Isaac and takes off to do just as God had commanded.  When Isaac questions about the sacrifice Abraham confidently tells him that God would provide.  The New Testament tells us that Abraham believed that God would raise Isaac from the dead.  Whatever the case may be, Isaac let his dad tie him up, lay him on the altar and raise a knife to plunge into his body.  Just at the right time God stopped Him and showed him a ram to sacrifice.  This level of obedience is just plain convicting.  I can find plenty of room to criticize Abraham for his cowardice and lack of faith on other occasions, but I cannot begin to compare my faith to that which Abraham demonstrated in this instance.  God wants all that we have and all that we are to be placed on the Altar before Him.  Our possessions, our reputations and our families are all to be placed before the Lord as a means of worshiping the Lord.  God must always occupy the place of priority in our lives.  We must not let anything or anyone come before Him.
GOD’S CONTINUED BLESSING ON ABRAHAM: As a result of Abraham’s obedience, God reiterates His promises to Abraham.  God blesses Abraham and reminds him that his descendants will not only be beyond his ability to count but would bless all of the other nations of the world.  We have seen that God has fulfilled this promise through the nation Israel and the coming of Christ, through whom all nations have been or will be blessed.  God is a faithful and a wonderful rewarder.  He blesses us in so many ways that we do not deserve and beyond our imagination.  We may not see the immediate fruits of our obedience just as Abraham did not see all of these promises come true.  But, God is faithful and when we step onto the shores of heaven and see all that the Lord has in store for those who love and obey Him, we will be astounded by His generosity and grace.  We must anticipate and live in light of this reality today.   

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