Genesis 32
GOD TESTED ABRAHAM
( Gen.22:1-14 )
There are two main types of tests. There are tests given by the devil and tests given by God. The test given by the devil is again divided into two types: trial and temptation. Trial is when the devil inflicts suffering on humans. What righteous Job suffered was an trial. Temptation refers to a test by the devil that stimulates the sinful nature of humans and causes them to fall. Joseph was tempted by Potiphar's wife, but he passed through without falling into sin. On the other hand, David is unable to overcome the temptation that comes to him through Bathsheba while she is bathing, and ends up falling for it.
Unlike the devil's trial that cause suffering and evil to humans, the tests that God gives are intended to reward humans. God already knows that humans will pass the test. Because He knows the center of our heart.
We just have to endure the trials and persevere to overcome them. Temptation must be avoided from places where there is a possibility of sin. On the other hand, God's tests can be obeyed.
The most difficult test among tests is test to give to God. Because that test is test to give God the most precious things and the best things. Abraham lived happy life. at that time God tested Abraham.
1. Offer your only son.(1-2)
1) Your son
2) Whom you love
3) Your only son
4) Sacrifice him as a burnt offering.
2. Abraham’s reaction.(3)
v.3 Early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled 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.
1) Experience of Abraham: Famine and his wife Sarah’s situation.
2) Faith of Abraham.(Heb. 11:8-12, 17-19)
v. 17 By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son,
v. 18 even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned."
v. 19 Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.
3. Abraham has many excuses for this test.
1) Remind God about covenant.
2) Heart of Sarah
3) Ridicule of the other people
4) Content of the burnt offering.
5) His age and distance to mountain.
6) Three days distance.
7) A company of servant.
8) Question of Isaac.
9) When make the Altar
10) Actual devotion.
4. Abraham’s faith
1) Heb.11:8-12
2) Heb.11:17-19
3) Gen.22:8 v. 8 Abraham answered, "God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." And the two of them went on together.
4) Gen.22:14 v.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."
5. Key point of answered prayer.
1) Covenant
2) Believe actually
3) Actual devotion. (Matt.7:7-9)
Conclution:
In fact, the key to opening Genesis chapter 22 is given in Hebrews 11:19. As it is written, “Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.” Abraham believed in God’s covenant. Because he had a son when he was 100 years old, it was too precious
for him to offer it to God, but because he got Isaac when he was 100 years old, he trusted God enough to give Isaac to Him.
Jehovah Jireh, Jireh means preparation. God has prepared everything for us. The reason God ‘does this’ is to give ‘something prepared’.
We too must have faith that ‘it will be prepared on the mountain of Jehovah.’ God is the one who gave his only begotten son, Jesus,
as a sacrificial lamb for us. Is there anything that God who gave up Jesus for sinners would not give for us?
We must be able to read the Father's love for us through the story of Abraham. Because the Father always guards and protects us with His love,
God is preparing everything for us on the mountain of God today. Everything is ready. We just have to go and take it in obedience.
We only ask that we focus all our attention on the Lord Jesus Christ and that we may always be victorious.