Abraham's Greatest Test, Part 2

Genesis chapter 22, if you have your Bible, I would invite you to turn there with me. Genesis chapter 22. It records Abraham's greatest test. It is his final exam. It is the foremost. It is the fiery test of Abraham. And in it, it reveals to us how to handle difficult situations. It was Warren Wiersbe who records these words. Our faith is not really tested until God asks us to bear what seems unbearable. To do what seems unreasonable and expect what seems impossible. We live by promises, not by explanations.

Maybe there's something God is asking you to bear today that seems unbearable. Something that He's asking you to do that seems impossible. Abraham is the example by which we follow as you look in the Word of God and see what God did in his life. Genesis 22 beginning with verse number 1, Now it came about after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, Abraham, and he said, Here I am. 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.

So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey and took two of his young men with him and Isaac his son. And he split wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. On the third day Abraham raised his eyes and saw the place from a distance.

And Abraham said to his young men, Stay here with the donkey and I and the lad will go yonder and we will worship and return to you. And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So the two of them walked on together. And Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, My father. And he said, Here I am, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood. But where is the lamb for the burnt offering? And Abraham said, God will provide for himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.

So the two of them walked on together. The more I study Genesis chapter 22, the more I realize that there are many valuable truths recorded in this chapter. Truths that you and I need to grasp if we're going to understand the tests that come our way and how God expects us to handle them. We've already looked at the setting, that was last week. This morning we're going to look at the sacrifice and then the submission.

Hopefully we'll get through Abraham's submission this morning and pick up Isaac's submission next week. But we're in no hurry because what we're going to say to you is going to be of extreme value to you and your family. But first of all we need to understand the sacrifice.

And in it I want you to notice four things with me concerning the sacrifice. The purpose, the price, the promptness, and the place. And I think that this morning you're going to see some things you've never seen before that are going to shed light on what God is doing in your life today or what God's going to do in your life tomorrow as He brings a test in your direction. The text says that God tested Abraham. We must understand first of all the purpose.

The King James Version says that God tempted Abraham. That's not an accurate translation. The OIV, which is the only inspired version, the New American Standard Version, says that God tested Abraham. God brought a test His way. We know from James 1.13 that God tempts no man. But God does test man. I like what John Butler said in his commentary. He says the difference between temptation and testing are very great. Temptation is to pollute and weaken us. Testing is to purify and strengthen us. Temptation offers immediate pleasure and gain.

Testing offers immediate pain and loss. Temptation seems reasonable to the flesh and appeals to the flesh. Testing does neither. God tested Abraham. So there was a purpose behind Abraham's test. There was a purpose for it to come his way. And you've got to understand that God in some way is complimenting Abraham. To bring this test upon him at this time in his life would show that Abraham has grown spiritually. That he's walking with God. When a severe test comes your way, really look at it as a compliment from God.

That God would say that you are of such a point that now I can bring this test your way. Last week I couldn't do that. Last year I couldn't do that. But now I can because you have grown spiritually. And I prayed for you that your faith would not fail. So the test comes because there's a purpose behind it. God wants to do a work in your life. Why? So that your ministry in the lives of others will be even more, more great. The second thing I want you to see is the price.

The price. He says, Abraham. And Abraham said, here I am. Here I am. Meaning, I'm at your disposal. I'm ready to do whatever you ask me to do, Lord. He's been waiting a long time. He's been waiting quite a long time. Probably over 25 years. Probably over 30 years he's been waiting. The text says many days in chapter 21. But if Isaac is that perfect type of Christ, he's probably somewhere around the age of 33. And chapter 21 takes place sometime between the age of 3 and 5 of Isaac. So now he's been waiting many days.

And God says, Abraham. And Abraham says, here I am. It's almost like, where have you been, Lord? I'm ready to do whatever you want me to do. I've been waiting. I've been worshipping. I've been witnessing for you. Now what is it you want me to do? It wasn't exactly what Abraham wanted to hear. Take now your son, your only son, whom you love. Take now your son, your only son. That phrase is repeated in verse number 12 and verse number 16. Your son, your only son. Wait a minute, didn't he have another son?

He had Ishmael, didn't he? Yes, he did. But this son, the only son, is the son of promise. The uniqueness behind this son was the fact that he would be the key to the promised seed of Israel. Take now your son, your only son, the one in whom you, what? Love. First time the word love is mentioned in the Bible.

Did you know that? Genesis chapter 22. It's the love of a father for his son. By the way, do you know the first time the word love was mentioned in the New Testament?

At the baptism of Christ. Mark 1, Matthew 3, Luke 3. This is my beloved son in whom I am pleased. What about John? That gospel. The first time the word love was mentioned in John's gospel is John 3, verse number what?

16. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son. Very significant. The price is very high. Why? Because everything that Abraham hoped for, everything that Abraham dreamed of, every aspiration that Abraham had, everything he left home for was this promise of God. Does Christ know that you love him? Sure he does. Does he know that your heart is truly committed to him? Sure he does. Do you know that? No, you don't. That's why he tests you. That's why he brings the exam your way. Because he wants you to see what he sees.

He wants you to know what he knows. He wants you to love him with everything that you have. And that's why he brings the test your way. Same thing God asks of you. He wants it all. Doesn't mean he's going to take it all, but he wants it all. The question is, are you willing to give it all away if he asks? We move from the purpose to the price to the promptness of the sacrifice. God says, take now your son.

So Abraham responded by rising early in the morning and doing what God said. The promptness of the sacrifice. His willingness to act immediately, without hesitation. Yes Lord. Now was it late at night? I don't know. Was it in the middle of the day and it would be the next day? Don't know that either. All I know is that there was a little bit of time that elapsed for Abraham maybe to change his mind. He didn't. But I guess the thing that astounds me is that there is no question asked by Abraham. There is no explanation given by God as to why Abraham was to do this.

We in today's society are taught to question authority. Why? The test will come. We need to be ready. Abraham was ready. The fourth thing I want you to see about the sacrifice is the place. Listen very carefully. The land of Moriah. You know what Moriah means? Moriah means foreseen by God. Isn't that good? In the plan of creation, there was a plan for redemption. Taken to the place, the land of Moriah. Now, it goes on beyond that. Because you see on that mountainous range there on Moriah, where the city of Jerusalem is, outside of that city is a place called Golgotha.

A place called The Skull. The reason it's called The Skull is because when they built the temple, they used the rocks from Moriah to build the temple. And when they were finished building the temple, where they finished, the place looked like the face of a skull. And there is where Jesus Christ himself was crucified. The perfect typology continues. Where Abraham would take his only son and offer him as a sacrifice on Mount Moriah, so God the Father would send his only son to be offered as a sacrifice on that same Mount Moriah.

Because God himself would provide a lamb, he says. God would provide the exact lamb. And on that Mount Moriah would be the place where Jews would come for centuries to offer sacrifices in anticipation of the coming Lamb of God. The coming King. And sure enough, that King would offer himself up as a sacrifice that he might redeem the world. That's the place. A very significant place. God had a purpose in giving a test to Abraham. The test purpose was so significant it would affect every individual that ever lived.

Think of it that way. The tests that come your way can be so significant that they will affect everybody else you come in contact with. That test isn't just for you. That test is for everybody else to see what God is going to do in you so that they might understand more of who God is. And so you see the sacrifice. And what was offered up there on Mount Moriah was a perfect type of Christ. We'll see this is the main point number three.

The submission. Abraham's submission. And Isaac's submission, but this morning just Abraham's submission. And six things I want you to see. Number one, the perils of his submission.

The perils. This was not an easy task because all of his affection was wrapped up in this boy. All of his dreams, his aspirations, his goals, his plans were all wrapped up in one boy. And God says, you take your son, your only son.

And God gave no explanation. God gave no reason. I mean, Lord, it's the pagans who offer up their children as sacrifices. Not the believer. But Abraham didn't even ask that question. Abraham just obeyed. The man was submissive to the call of God upon his life. God gave the command and Abraham obeyed. Folks, that's the model. God gives us a command and what do we do? But why? How come? You've got to be kidding me, Lord. You can't mean that. We always have a question. And I guess it's a good thing God's long-suffering with us.

Because if it was me, I'd be awful impatient with you if you kept asking me the same question. But God is so patient with us. But Abraham was submissive. Didn't ask any questions. A true worshiper of God doesn't ask any questions. He depends upon the promises of God. And that's what Abraham did. And look what it says down in verse number 12. Now I know that you fear me. Wow. Isn't that good? Why was Abraham submissive to God? Because he feared God. A man who questions, God does not fear God. Abraham feared him.

Yes, Lord. What if you say, God, that's what I will do? From the perils, I want you to see the promptness. There was no delay on Abraham's part either. God gave the command, and Abraham said, Yes, Lord, I will do that. So he arose early in the morning. As unpleasant as it was, as unreasonable as it was, he obeyed. Remember Psalm 119, verse number 60. It says, I hastened and did not delay to keep thy commandments. Psalm 119, verse number 60. I hastened and did not delay to keep thy commandments that ought to be engraved on your forehead.

I hastened and did not delay to obey all your commandments. The third thing is the preparation. He had to make sure he had everything ready. And so he put it all together. He did exactly what he needed to do. And all of them would foreshadow what Jesus Christ himself would do. You notice the text says that he put the wood on Isaac's back and he had to carry the wood up the mountain.

It says over in John chapter 19, So they took Jesus and led him away and he, bearing his cross, went out to a place called the place of a skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, and they crucified him. As Isaac would bring the wood on his back up Moriah, so Jesus Christ himself would bear the cross on his back. Perfect typology of Christ. The fourth thing I want you to see about Abraham's submission is his perseverance. Three days. A lot can happen in three days. A lot had to go through his mind in three days.

There's got to be another way around this. There's got to be another kid to sacrifice. There's got to be another man who can do this. All the questions that would come his way, and yet he persevered, and yet he continued doing. And in his own mind, Isaac was dead for how long? Three days. In his own mind, Isaac was a dead man. Because God said, you're going to sacrifice your son. As Jesus Christ himself would die and be three days in the grave. But he persevered. He continued on. He did not quit.

He did it because he was steadfast in his commitment. That's a submissive spirit. And then I also want you to see the prudence. That's number five in his submission. He told the men who went with him, stay here with the donkey. You guys stay here. Why? Because they could be a hindrance to his obedience to God. They would not understand what he was doing, killing his own son. They wouldn't understand him placing his own son on the altar. They would not be able to grasp the fact that this man would take his only son and offer him up to die.

So he was very prudent, very wise. He left those men down below. And he and the lad would do what? Go up. And what does that say? Worship. Worship. Can I be so bold as to say, unless you're willing to give it all, you don't really worship? If you come here today and just give a little bit to God, you're not really worshiping God. If you come today and don't really listen with your whole heart, you're not really worshiping God. If you're here today and not willing to do whatever God says you need to do, you're not really worshiping God.

I and the lad will go up and we will worship. That's worship. Worship is submission. Worship's not singing some songs. Worship's not getting together and taking an offering. Worship's not getting together and praying together. Worship is submission to doing whatever God says you need to do.

That's worship. If you're not willing to surrender at all to God, then you've got to question the sincerity of your worship to God. The sixth thing I want you to see is the promise in submission. The promise in submission. Stay here with the donkey and I and the lad will go yonder and we will worship and what? Return to you. Isn't that great? There's the promise in submission. Here's a man who believed in what? The promise of God. God's got a plan. And God's going to fulfill that plan. I don't know how He's going to do it.

I don't know when He's going to do it. But God made me a promise. He said way back in Genesis 17, verse number 19, these words, No, but Sarah, your wife, shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac, and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his ascendance after him. What kind of covenant? An eternal covenant. An everlasting covenant. What kind of God did Abraham worship in Genesis 21? An everlasting God. An eternal God. Abraham believed in the promises of God.

God, you made a covenant. It is an everlasting covenant. I am going to go up and worship you. I and the lad are going to go up there and we will return because you made a promise. You made a commitment. It is an eternal covenant that says it will carry on down through all my descendants and my descendants will be as the sand on the seashore, as the stars in the sky, and I believe the word of God. That's why that man could submit to God because he believed in the promises of God. That's why his faith was strong.

How about your faith? Is it strong or weak? Are you depending upon the promises of Almighty God? Abraham had never seen a resurrection, but Hebrews 11 tells us he believed in a resurrection. Hebrews 11, verse number 17, By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son. It was he to whom it was said, In Isaac your descendants shall be called. He, Abraham, considered that God is able to raise men even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a tithe.

He said, listen, I've never seen a resurrection, but I am so confident that if I go up on that mountain and I kill my son, God will raise him up again because God made an everlasting promise to me, and I claim his word. May I be so bold as to suggest the reason we fail our tests is because we don't believe in the word of God. We're not willing to submit ourselves to the promises of God and say, yes, Lord, I believe that what you say is true. If you want to test me to humble me, you do so. If you want to test me to purify me, you do so.

If you want to test me to prove that my faith is genuine, then you do so because, Lord, I believe in the promises of your word. If you don't know the word of God, if you don't have the word of God, you will fail your tests miserably. Listen to what the psalmist said over in Psalm 119, verse number 50. This is my comfort in my affliction that thy word has revived me. What was the light of Abraham? The promises of God, the word of God. He believed in them. He could submit to them. And because he submitted to them, listen, because he submitted to them, his son would submit to them.

His son would follow in his father's footsteps and submit to the promises of Almighty God. I and the lad were worshiped. You have Abraham's submission. You have Isaac's submission. And as Jesus Christ himself willingly submitted himself to the father, so Isaac, being the perfect type of Christ, would willingly submit himself to his father. You see no struggle on Isaac's part. You see no fighting on Isaac's part. You see no questioning on Isaac's part. You see no demand for an explanation on Isaac's part.

He was willing to do whatever his father asked him to do because he believed in the same God his father believed in. My question to you is, do you believe in that same God? Let's pray.