Tested to the Core

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Opening Prayer

Dear Lord, I want to walk in the way of love. Grant me an ardent, pure and courageous love.

Read Genesis 22:1-8

^[1] Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. ^[2] Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love-Isaac-and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” ^[3] Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. ^[4] On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. ^[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.” ^[6] Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, ^[7] Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” ^[8] Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Meditate

“Being open and receptive to the leadings of the Holy Spirit is a non-optional part of transformation” (John Ortberg).

Think Further

Time has passed (1), in which Abraham and Sarah lovingly watch little Isaac grow, reminded daily of how God fulfilled his incredible promise. Now comes the bombshell. Abraham gets a call from God to offer the miracle child as a sacrifice (2). The story is told with dramatic skill; though we know the happy ending we are drawn into the agonizing suspense.

If Abraham is good, how can he set out intending to kill his innocent son? If God is good, how can he make such a demand? The story seems to set a dangerous precedent. Surely the first check that God has really commanded a certain action should be that it is consistent with the good and holy character of God! A clue to this problem is the description in Genesis of Abraham as a prophet (Gen. 20:7). In the Hebrew Scriptures the Lord’s prophets are asked to do shocking and personally very painful things as dramatic signs for a wider audience. Hosea had to marry a prostitute and through the experience communicate God’s faithful love to unfaithful people (Hos. 1:2). Ezekiel was forbidden to mourn when his wife died, pointing exiled Jews to hope beyond the fall of Jerusalem (Ezek. 24:15-17). These were not examples to be followed but signs to enhance a particular message from God.

We will look at the meanings of this sign tomorrow. Today, note that the action is primarily a test of Abraham (1). The willingness of the prophets to rank love and obedience to God before all human loves is what enabled them to be the channels through which God spoke to the world. Abraham passes the test with quiet dignity as he speaks calming words to Isaac that are truer than he could know (8).

Apply

Has God tested (or is God testing) you in some difficult way? What did or can you learn from this?

Closing prayer

Mighty God, You do surprising things and work in surprising ways. I trust You and give You all my praise.

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