Genesis 22. This chapter of the bible talks about the confirmation of Abraham’s faith. I believe there are many lessons we can draw from this chapter in order to enrich our walk with the glorious God we serve.
The chapter begins with a very unusual instruction from a merciful God to a man ( Abraham ) to offer His son whom he waited for so long to have, to be used as a burnt offering for God.
Abraham did not ask any questions but immediately obeyed the instructions because He knew the God He served. He did not delay or wait a few days before obeying the instructions of the Lord. God gives us many instructions but it’s taking us so long for us to discern if it’s the Lord or not or if it is the right timing to do it not. Abraham lived a life of Obedience to God. He moved when God asked him to move, and when God asked him to circumcise himself and his household, he did it with no questions asked. We need to know the God we serve and know that someday He will test our love for Him.
God always wants to make sure that we have our eyes fixed on Him and not the things/cares of the world. He will definitely test our love for Him. This is what Jesus said when asked about the greatest commandment Matthew 22: 37- 38 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. Abraham’s test was to prove his love for God. The spirit of God yearns for jealousy and we should not let anything take the place of God in our lives. ( James 4:5 Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”? ). These are a few instances where Jesus asked people whether they love him or things of the world.
Jesus asked the rich young ruler to give out his riches and follow him but He chose his possessions. Matthew 19:21 21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
Jesus asked Peter if he loved his work as a fisherman or Him Jesus.
John 21:15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of [b]Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I [c]love You.”
Jesus will test us whether we love Him more than the cares of the world. Just like Abraham many of us spend many years asking God for something very precious ( in Abraham’s case an heir, Isaac ) but when we get it, can God put us to the test whether we love Him more than the thing we asked him for (eg. whether marriage, children, wealth, anointing etc ) May God give us the grace to pass the test of our love for Him. If we can’t give back to God what He gives to us as an offering perhaps we shouldn’t ask for it.
