Learning From the Old Testament Greats: Abraham – The Father of FaithSample

Day 11: Abraham offers Isaac

Thoughts on the Passage

Verse one tells us the key to this story - it is a test.

There is much to this story, but we must remember that God did this as a test for Abraham. Sometimes the answers to questions are fairly obvious, and sometimes we get caught by surprise. This test has several answers.

First answer.
Now I know that you (Abraham) fear God. Actually, it was Abraham (and Isaac) who saw for themselves how much they feared God. God knows our hearts. We need understanding. This answer revealed the heart of Abraham to Abraham. In many senses, I think this is the answer to the test that Abraham would have expected to the test.

Second answer.
We learn a new name for God – Jehovah Jireh (the Lord will provide). It is an answer we need to remember when we face difficult situations. This test opened Abraham’s eyes to an understanding of God in a new way.

Third answer.
The destiny is now released. Abraham has his destiny fully promised by God. What does that mean? Abraham could not see this answer to the test. He could not see this was a test that would release his destiny. That was something completely unexpected. 

There are many tests like this. Moses did not realize that striking the rock rather than speaking to the rock meant that he would not lead Israel into the promised land. Judas did not realize that taking the piece of bread from Jesus and not asking for forgiveness would lead him to bondage and suicide. Adam and Eve taking the fruit of the tree would lead to the downfall of all mankind. 

These kinds of answers are hidden to us. We do not know when these are the answers to things God asks us to do. We find out after the quiz. That is why we treat everything God asks us to do seriously and diligently obey.

Application to our Lives

Look back at things God has instructed us to do this year. Put a plan in place to get at it.

Plan a day of fasting sometime. Let God speak into our life and show us where we are not diligent to obey.

Time to Pray

Father, today is a good day. I hear You call my heart to diligent obedience. Where I have been sloppy in my walk of obedience, forgive me. Where I just got impatient with the way You move and I moved ahead myself, forgive me. Where I just ignored what You asked me to do, forgive me. Now, remind me of those things that I need to be focused on in my life. There is a powerful blessing I cannot even imagine that awaits if I am diligent in my obedience. May it be a great day today as I hear, as I focus, and as I commit to doing what You instruct. In Jesus name, Amen.