Gênesis 22

Gênesis 22

MacArthur - TRIALS’ LESSONS: FAITH By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac; and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son.” The main reason God allows trials in the lives of Christians is to test the strength of their faith. The memorable example in Genesis 22 of Abraham’s testing is perhaps the severest trial any human being has ever faced. When God told Abraham to offer his only son Isaac as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of Moriah (Gen. 22:1–2), Abraham no doubt was stunned. In terms of God’s nature, His plan of redemption, His promise to Abraham, and His love for Isaac, the entire concept was utterly inconceivable and unprecedented. But in the face of all that, Abraham showed remarkable faith in dealing with this trial (Gen. 22:3–8). He did not second–guess God, as many of us would, but rather obeyed immediately (v. 3) and displayed the confidence that he and Isaac would return (v. 5) and that God would supply a lamb for the offering (v. 8). Then Abraham showed he was ready to obey completely. Genesis 22 tells us he “bound his son Isaac, and laid him on the altar on top of the wood. And Abraham stretched out his hand, and took the knife to slay his son” (vv. 9–10). What unbelievable faith, and what a dramatic moment when God spared Abraham from the full cost of obedience (vv. 11–12)! The story clearly shows us the nature of true faith (Gen. 15:6) and why Abraham was later called the father of the faithful (Rom. 4:11–12; Gal. 3:6–7). As heirs to Abraham and his extraordinary trust in God, we can also endure the most difficult trials and pass tests of faith that seem unimaginably severe at the time. God might want us to offer our own loved ones to Him and let them go His way rather than tightly holding on to them for our own purposes. However, if we look to God as Abraham did (Heb. 11:17–19), we can be confident in any trial and know with certainty that our faith has passed the test. Suggestions for Prayer: Pray that God would strengthen your faith even in the smallest of daily trials. For Further Study: Read 2 Kings 20:1–11 and 2 Chronicles 32:24–31. What was at the heart of Hezekiah’s difficulties (2 Chron. 32:25)? ✧ Why did God test him (v. 31)? John Bennett - TAKE NOW THY SON ‘By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son’, Heb. 11:17. Such is the Spirit’s commentary upon this remarkable chapter before us today. It is noticeable that so much is contained in the command that was issued. Isaac is named; there can be no confusion with Ishmael. His place in divine purpose is clearly stated, ‘thine only son’, v. 2, cf. Heb. 11:18. The affection between father and son is emphasized, ‘whom thou lovest’. How telling is every phrase! What unquestioning obedience Abraham exhibited, for God gave no reason or explanation. What devotion Abraham displayed: ‘Behold, here I am’, Ge 22:1; and ‘Abraham rose up early in the morning … and went’, Ge 22:3, cf. Ps. 119:60! What faith he exercised: ‘I and the lad will go … and come again’, Ge 22:5, cf. Heb. 11:19; and ‘My son, God will provide himself a lamb’, Ge 22:8! What fellowship he experienced: ‘they went both of them together’, Ge 22:6, 8. What agony he must have felt: ‘on the third day Abraham … saw the place afar off’, Ge 22:4; ‘Abraham took the wood … and laid it upon Isaac’, Ge 22:6; ‘Isaac spake unto Abraham … and said … where is the lamb?’, Ge 22:7! ‘Reason might have argued: If Isaac was offered up, those promises, which were all centred in him, would fail. Nature might have argued: It could not thus offer up the son of its love. But Faith had a more reasonable argument: Abraham had learned and proved that his God was entirely trustworthy and dependable, and that His word was absolutely reliable’, H. E. MARSOM. This passage presents a tremendous challenge to all our hearts. Abraham’s experience is but a picture of a far greater sacrifice that God made; a sacrifice for which no substitute could be found. Paul reminds us, ‘He … spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all’, Rom. 8:32. ‘For this, O may we freely count Whate’er we have but loss! The dearest object of our love Compared with Thee but dross.’ [JAMES HUTTON] Genesis 22:2 And He said, "Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah; and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you." Take : Ge 17:19 21:12 Joh 3:16 Ro 5:8 8:32 Heb 11:17 1Jn 4:9,10 Moriah : 2Ch 3:1 and offer : Jdg 11:31,39 2Ki 3:27 Mic 6:7 Genesis 22 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: 2 Chronicles 3:1 Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the LORD had appeared to his father David, at the place that David had prepared on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. THREE STRONG COMMANDS And He said, "Take now your son, your only son, whom you love (ahab; Lxx - agapao), Isaac - + take is the first of 3 strong commands (take...go...offer) Take and go now, not later (this is brought out by the Septuagint for all three verbs in the aorist imperative = "Just do it" is the idea!) Don't debate and don't procrastinate! Abraham neither delayed nor protested, but willingly obeyed. Delayed obedience is disobedience! Partial obedience is complete disobedience! The journey was about 50 miles, and one can only imagine the thought of Abraham on that fateful journey! Notice that Abraham did not say “But, Lord, both Ishmael and Isaac are my sons, and each of them is the only son of his mother.”