Walking with Abraham pt. 7 - Covenant Tested

Genesis 21:1-7 – Covenant confirmed with birth of Isaac.

Genesis 22:1-19

Read verse 1

“After these things ….” A significant period of time has passed between chapters 21 and 22. See last verse in chapter 21. Probably years. Isaac perhaps a young teenager.

1. What was God’s reason for visiting Abraham? He wanted to test Abraham. The word test in Hebrew is “nasa” – pronounced nawsaw. It means “to test, to prove, put to the test.”

2. What is the purpose of a test? The method by which the presence, quality, or genuineness of anything is determined. The trial of the quality of something. Are tests easy? There is a level of stress/anxiety that comes with tests. That level depends upon the method used for testing. In chapter 22, God gives Abraham a test. As we read, be thinking about the definition of test.

Read verse 2-14

3. What did God tell Abraham to do? What method did God use to test Abraham? Hold off giving reason for test until question 8. Do you find how God phrased the wording of the test interesting? If you read this Scripture in the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh), it would read like this: Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac. God piles it on.

4. What was Abraham’s response? Similar to his response to God’s call to leave Haran back in chapter 12. He probably told Isaac and his servants they were going to the region of Moriah to offer a burnt offering to God and no more. Isaac and the servants may have thought it unusual that Abraham had brought wood for the sacrifice but no animal to sacrifice. Region of Moriah – according to tradition is where Jerusalem is located today. The mountain on which Abraham would offer Isaac as a sacrifice is where the Jewish temple was built – the Temple Mount.

5. During the three day journey, if you are Abraham, what’s going through your mind? What is your level of stress/anxiety? Emotional and spiritual. Abraham probably is questioning God. Wanting answers from God. What ever anxiety and stress Abraham is feeling, he continues to do what God has told him to do without hesitation. Lesson there for us.

6. What did Abraham say to his servants? We will worship and we will return. What does that tell you about Abraham? How is he doing in regards to the test so far?
Abraham and Isaac walk for a while. Isaac breaks the silence.

7. What obvious question did Isaac ask Abraham? Where’s the lamb that is to be sacrificed? What was Abraham’s response? God will provide. How is Abraham doing in regards to the test so far? And the two kept walking.