Genesis 22:1

Genesis 22:1

Consider:

I. The circumstances of Abraham when this trial came. His hope was set on Isaac as the medium through which God's promise could be fulfilled, and he had been encouraged by observing him rising year after year to the age and stature of manhood.

II. God's connection with the trial. He subjected Abraham to a testing trial in order to prove his faith. (1) There was no attempt in the action of God, bearing upon Abraham, in the least to diminish the patriarch's affection for his son. (2) In the command binding Abraham to offer up his son there was an assertion of Jehovah's right to be regarded as the supreme object of His creatures' love.

III. Abraham under and after the trial. (1) His fear of God was tested by this trial; (2) his faith in God was tested by the trial. But the result was blessed to him in these four ways: (a) He obtained an attestation from heaven of his fear and of his faith; (b) he obtained a new revelation of Messiah as the atoning Surety; (c) he brought back with him alive his only son, whom he loved; (d) he held "Jehovah Jireh" in the grasp of his faith, and had Him pledged to care for him always.

Application. (1) Learn from this text that true faith is sure to be tested faith. (2) The text teaches us that all love must be subordinated to love for God. (3) Learn from this passage that the only way to be truly strong is to have faith in God. (4) Learn from this text that God will never fail under the leanings of faith. (5) Learn from this text that no one need expect an attestation of his fear and faith except when these are revived and exercised.

J. Kennedy, Sermons,No. 40.

References: Genesis 22:1. Sermons for Boys and Girls(1880), p. 48; Homiletic Quarterly,vol. i., p. 261.Genesis 22:1; Genesis 22:2. Preacher's Monthly,vol. vii., p. 134.