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Jan 07, 2014 / Bible Study / 1 COMMENTS

Today’s Scripture
“Isaac turned to Abraham and said, “Father? We have the fire and the wood, but where is the sheep (lamb) for the burnt offering?” “God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son,” Abraham answered. And they both walked on together” (Genesis 22:7-8).

 

 
This map shows Abraham and Isaac’s Journey to Mount Moriah

 
Long after Ishmael had left home, God tested Abraham’s devotion to Him in the asking of a sacrifice, the sacrifice of his only son Isaac. Why some might perceive this is a harsh request, it is in fact a beautiful picture of the loving sacrifice God made for you and me in the sending of His Son, Jesus, on to the cross to die for our sins. This was a test of grand porportions. While walking through it, Abraham may not have recognized it as such.

 
Like Abraham, our faith will also be tested. While God does not tempt anyone into sin, He may test us to see where our devotion truly lies, to strengthen our courage or to show us something we do not see about ourselves.

 
Tests comes in different shapes and sizes, however, here are three characteristics that most all of them share:

• Tests defy logic. We sense we’re being asked to do something that doesn’t make sense or that can’t actually come to pass without God’s help.
• Tests prove our faith… sometimes to God, but more often to ourselves.
• And tests relate to an action we want to resist. Surely, Abram did not want to lose his only son, whom he dearly loved.

 
Ultimately, this Scripture passage above is the gospel message in its most basic form. “Where is the Lamb?” “The Lord will provide the Lamb.” And God did just this in the sending of His Son to be the Lamb that died for the sins of the whole world. Abraham passed a test that brought blessing to the whole world.