“He Considered that God was Faithful”

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

BIBLE READING: Genesis 21-22

“The LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did to Sarah as he had promised. And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the time of which God had spoken to him.” (Genesis 21.1-2)

This event was so unexpected it was laughable (Genesis 17.17; 18.12). No one should be having kids at Abraham and Sarah’s age; and yet God had promised, and Isaac was born according to His word (see Genesis 17.16, 19, 21). This culminating event demonstrated God’s ability to make good on His promises, regardless of how unlikely. But “after these things God tested Abraham… ‘Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to… offer him there as a burnt offering’…” (Genesis 22.1-2).

The immediate context shocks us. How could God ask Abraham to do such a thing? However, in the larger context of scripture we see the foreshadowing of Jesus. God would not allow Abraham to kill Isaac, but instead God would give his only Son as a gift of covenant love and faithfulness. God’s willing sacrifice would be the means of ‘blessing the world’ (Genesis 12.3). We may not understand the complete rationale for this pattern, but we do know this: in this covenant God gives what is necessary and personally bears the cost for our good.

But covenants require deliberate faithfulness from both parties. Grace extended constrained Abraham. God did not sadistically require the life of Isaac but was giving him a test of trust. Even Abraham understood Isaac to be a gift according to God’s promises (Hebrews 11.17). So, when called to do this, “[Abraham] considered that God was able even to raise [Isaac] from the dead…” (Hebrews 11.19).

Abraham understood his role and responsibility to God. To accept the promises, he did not get to make the terms. As much as he cherished Isaac, Abraham was indebted to the one who gave him Isaac. Furthermore, he was a steward of the promises given. Just as Abraham went when God said go, (Genesis 12.4; 13.14-18), he gave when God said give. Many times, Abraham did not physically see how things would play out; but he learned to consider God faithful and respond with whatever God required.

Faith often calls us beyond what we are comfortable. Just as Abraham’s most valued gift was required, we too will be faced with giving our most valued things to God. God is never unjust, but he will test the genuineness of our faith to perfect us (Jeremiah 17.10; 1 Peter 1.6-7). Perhaps he is revealing to us some greater truth to understand at a later time. Perhaps he is trying to reduce our distractions. Perhaps he is trying to center on attention on his faithful promises and the wonderful blessings of knowing him. As Job would say, “shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” (Job 2.10). God will be faithful; but we must prove faithful by testing ourselves and doing the will of the Lord (Romans 12.1-2; 1 Corinthians 13.5-6). True faith will endure testing by submitting to the God who is able.

Share