Faith & Obedience: A case study on Abraham Pt 2

Genesis 22 vs 1 - 2 (NKJV):

1 Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am."

2 Then He said, "Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I tell you."

One of the many things I struggled with in the past was selective reading. I would read the Bible and misunderstand so much, leading me to have a lot of confusion when it came to God. The day I started praying before going into the Word was such a gamechanger and I recently understood why. 

The Bible was written by people that were led by the Holy Spirit so definitely, if we read it without the help of the Holy Spirit, confusion is bound to arise. Without the wisdom, knowledge and understanding that we can only receive from the Holy Spirit, we are reading from the flesh. That right there is the problem, I was reading words written from the influence of the Holy Spirit relying on my human understanding. 

I don't remember the first time I ever read Genesis chapter 22 but I was so distraught. I was taken aback by God wanting a human sacrifice. I was shocked because of selective reading or reading from the flesh, I neglected an important sentence. The sentence being, "God tested Abraham."

My perception of God was shaken because I failed to understand that Abraham was being tested. This prompted me to wonder how many times we have been tested by God for transformation but we missed it. We probably began to doubt God, became impatient with him neglecting that God does everything for a reason. Isaiah 55:8-9 tells us that God's ways and thoughts are above our own. I find comfort in those verses when things don't go my way. They just remind me that my God's thoughts are higher. I don't need to understand why certain things are happening or not happening, I just have to trust that He knows what is best for me, He is my Father after all. 

The awareness of the fact that every season has its reason helps me keep my eyes on God and not on the situation. I still worry, I still get anxious but I always remember that I serve The One and Only, living and breathing God. The One who knows the plans he has for me, plan to give me hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). 

Abraham went to the place God had told him about and in verse 5, Abraham tells his servants to stay with the donkeys because him and Isaac will go worship the Lord and come back. Abraham said, "... I will go yonder and worship , and we will come back to you." We see here that Abraham had faith that he wouldn't come back alone.

 As Abraham and Isaac were walking, Isaac asked where the lamb was for the burnt offering because only the fire and wood were present. Abraham answered Isaac and said, "My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering". Once again, we see Abrahams faith and trust in God.

Abraham was obedient as a result of his faith. He didn't question God's Word, or try to save his long awaited son, he started the journey to Moriah the next morning. I believe that it must have been difficult to be Abraham in that situation but he was still obedient. 

I would like to believe that Abraham's relationship with God played a huge role in his obedience. God had promised Abraham that he would be the father of all nations through Isaac, that promise could have strengthened Abraham. Another explanation is that Abraham knew God and had a relationship with Him. When you have an intimate relationship with someone you have an idea of what they can or cannot do. 

Abraham's intimate knowledge of God could have made him believe that he didn't serve a God of human sacrifices. The question is, Do you (and me), know God's character with confidence and conviction to know what He would not encourage? Are you able to trust in His character even in times of difficulty?

I believe this chapter is a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ. The Lamb that was slain for our salvation. Jesus Christ is the Lamb that was provided by God to bear the sin of the world so that we wouldn't die. Isaac symbolizes people that were supposed to die as a result of their sin (you and I), The lamb provided by God symbolizes God's plan to send His Son, Jesus Christ, to be the ultimate and final sacrifice.

This week I learnt that if I can not see God's goodness in a chapter/verse or book then I am not reading properly. I now read until I am able to pinpoint God's goodness because that is His character. He is a God of goodness and mercy, not human sacrifices.

It is important for us to: 

1. Have intimacy with God to know His character
2. Always pray before reading the Bible
3. Fight against selective reading or hearing by starting off with prayer
4. Read a verse, chapter or book until you see God's goodness
5. Remember God and His promises in times of difficulty

God is good, His ways are good, His thoughts are good and His character is good. Intimacy with God helps us discern what is of God and what isn't. Refer back to part 1, Abraham was probably able to tell that he was in the presence of God when he encountered the three men, because he knew God. He was able to pass the test because he knew God. He believed that he was going to have a son in his old age because he knew God.

I learn about God every day through reading The Word, prayer and listening to The Word. Knowing God helps me keep His commandments because I know that they are for my protection. Knowing God helps me keep my eyes fixed on Him in trials and tribulations because I know that He will carry me through it.

The more I know Him, the more I love Him. My encouragement is for you to desire intimacy with God. It really makes a difference! 

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