The Big Test

TODAY'S SPECIAL: Genesis 22:1-19

TO CHEW ON: “...and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.” Genesis 22:18

Imagine Abraham’s horror the day God told him to sacrifice his son Isaac. Perhaps he had some of these questions and thoughts:

- Did I hear God right?
- Why would God make me wait all these years to have a son, only to ask me to kill him?
- Didn’t God forbid human sacrifice?
- God can do anything. Maybe He is planning to raise Isaac from the dead.

Whatever Abraham was thinking, he didn’t argue with God. Instead, he took Isaac, the stuff they needed for the sacrifice and they went to the place God told him.

Using Genesis 22:9-12 as a guide, put the rest of the story in order.

An angel stops Abraham from sacrificing Isaac - Artist unknown

Abraham’s faith was tested to see what he believed in. God was testing him to see whether he believed in what his mind told him God would do, or whether he believed in God, even though he didn’t understand. Abraham’s actions showed he believed in God. He passed the test!

PRAYER: Dear God, help me to pass the faith tests I face. Amen.

MORE: A Father who really did sacrifice His Son

This story of Abraham and Isaac reminds us of a story that happened hundreds of years later. Another Father watched as His Son was sacrificed–not on an altar, but on a cross. Read about it in Mark 15:33-41.

Answers

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.