Walking with Abraham pt. 7 - Covenant Tested

When Abraham and Isaac reached their destination, Abraham proceeded to build the altar, arranged the wood on the altar, bound Isaac, and placed him on the altar. No evidence that Isaac put up a struggle. He took out his knife, raised it, and was about to bring it down to slay his son when he heard a voice from heaven cry out his name. Abraham stopped immediately and said “Here I am.” Throughout his test, Abraham was always listening. No matter the level of stress/anxiety Abraham was experiencing his ears were open to hearing from God. Lesson there for us.

8. What reason did God give to Abraham as to why He wanted Abraham to go through this experience? What was the purpose of God’s test? Repeat definition of test with emphasis on what is in bold - the method by which the presence, quality, or genuineness of anything is determined. The trial of the quality of something. In this test, God is using the sacrifice of Isaac to test the presence, quality, or genuineness of something in Abraham. It was a trial whose purpose was to find the quality of something in Abraham. What was that something? That Abraham feared God; therefore, he would obey and trust God no matter what if even it meant the life of his only son Isaac. Fear of God defined – healthy recognition of the sovereignty/supreme authority of God. As Job put it – God gives and God takes away. Abraham learned that God gives, God takes away, and God gives back (See question 10) God tested Abraham to determine the presence, quality, and genuineness of Abraham’s faith/obedience to Him and Abraham passed the test successfully. Method of testing – Abraham was to sacrifice his one and only son whom he loved dearly – Isaac. Abraham had failed this test in the past. He did not always have faith that God would protect him or his family (see Genesis chapter 12.)

9. Why did God choose this method (sacrificing Isaac) to test Abraham? Another purpose for a test is to teach. What God was teaching to Abraham was the Gospel – the good news of salvation. Read Galatians 3:7-9. God was showing Abraham how He would bring about salvation to humanity. The near sacrifice of Isaac foreshadows a similar event that would take place thousands of years later. A Father would one day lead His Son … His one and only Son whom He loved … to be sacrificed. The event would occur in the same vicinity that Abraham offered Isaac. The Father would lead His Son, not for three days, but for three years, on His journey to the mountain. Just as Abraham’s son carried wood that lead to his death, God’s Son carried wood that would lead to his death. When the journey ended, there would be no angel crying “Stop!” There would be no substitute found to sacrifice in the Son’s place. This Son died. Consequently, the plan of salvation that was put into motion through Abraham’s obedience to God’s call came to a successful conclusion in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The blessing promised to Abraham and his descendants would now be passed down to us. That blessing is salvation through Jesus Christ.

10. Why was Abraham willing to go through with the sacrifice of his son? Read Hebrews 11:17-19. Abraham believed God would raise Isaac from the death despite the fact that up to this point no one had ever been raised from the dead. Other examples of Abraham passing the test. Genesis 22: 5, 8. How was Abraham able to have such faith? His faith was steeped in God’s promise that through Isaac His covenant with Abraham would be carried out.

11. Verse 13-14 - What did Abraham do? Worshipped God. Even after the difficult emotional/spiritual test God had put he and Isaac through. Would you have responded to God in the same way?

Read verses 15-19

12. What did the angel say to Abraham? Repeated the covenant. Why God will keep His covenant with Abraham? Abraham obeyed.

And God did keep His covenant with Abraham.

Isaac
Jacob/Israel
Twelve sons
Descendants become the Twelve Tribes
Nation of Israel

Death of Sarah at age 125. Abraham remarries has more children. Before he dies gives children by second marriage their inheritance and they move east. Abraham dies at age 175. Isaac is 75. Abraham lived long enough to see his grandchildren – Esau and Jacob.

APPLICATION
Read the following verses to determine a common reason why God tests His people.

Exodus 16: 4
Then the LORD said to Moses, "Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may test them, whether or not they will walk in My instruction.

Exodus 20:20
Moses said to the people , "Do not be afraid ; for God has come in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Him may remain with you, so that you may not sin."

Deuteronomy 8:2-3
You shall remember all the way which the LORD your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, that He might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD.

Psalm 26:1-3
Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the LORD without wavering. Examine me, O LORD, and try me; test my mind and my heart. For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes, and I have walked in Your truth.

VII. Conclusion

Why did God choose Abraham? Why did God choose an old man who was a nobody from a nobody people to make His covenant with … to initiate His plan of salvation? Remember I Samuel 16: 7 - But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." What did God see in the heart of Abraham that would have God choose Abraham to be the Father of the Chosen People? Attributes/characteristics? God does not choose names out of a hat. Number one has to be Abraham’s faith. Followed by obedience. Heart of worship (built many altars). Wisdom and integrity (battle with kings). Love (Lot, Ishmael). Justice (Sodom). There were negative characteristics that God saw in Abraham’s heart. Some major flaws – Passing Sarah off as his sister, the Hagar incident (listened to Sarah rather than God, lack of compassion for Hagar and Ishmael). God saw the good and the bad in Abraham’s heart and yet He still chose to make His covenant with Abraham. God looked beyond Abraham’s shortcomings/flaws and saw what was good and right and said “I choose Abram!” Common theme in Scripture. When God looks at your heart, what does He see?