ABRAHAM – THE TESTING OF FAITH
Text: Hebrews 11:17-19; Gen. 22:1-14
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
1. Our Faith Will Be Tested (Heb 11:17; cf. Gen. 22:1-2)
- The word tried means to put to the test, be examined.
- All believers face and will face tests and trials. They are
James does not say “if” you are tried, but “when” you are tried. In other words, don’t be surprised when tests come into your life. (cf. 1 Pet. 4:12)
Trials are designed to bring the best out of us, to increase our character, our trust, our faith.
- Temptations are used by the devil to bring out our worst. Trials are used by God to bring out our best.
- Temptations seem logical. Trials seem very unreasonable.
2. Our Faith’s Genuineness And Strength Will Be Revealed
- The word “tried” in Hebrews 11:17 has to do with the process of being put to the test. And the very test itself (i.e. the process of the testing) will either
- The word translated “trying” refers to authenticating something. Proving it to be what it says it is.
- What kind of faith do you have? You don’t know until your faith is tested. (cf. 1 Pet 1:6-7)
- It’s not how we act in
3. Our Faith’s Testing Will Determine The Degree In Which We Believe God (cf. Gen 22:3-5)
- When we find ourselves in a trial, what is typically the first thing we do? Why Lord? Why me, Lord?
What are we looking for? An
When God tests our faith there will be a collision between God’s Word (promises) and our human reasoning.
At point of impact we must choose whether we are going to look for an explanation from God or if we are going to trust the promise, Word, and/or the person of God.
Note here in our text that Abraham doesn’t ask for any explanation: why Lord? Why should my son die? This doesn’t make sense. Could you please explain yourself?
Abraham heard God’s word and immediately obeyed it by
Faith believes and leaves the “how” in the hands of God.
Abraham believed that even if God allowed him to kill his son, He could raise Isaac from the dead. (cf. Heb. 11:17-19)
- Abraham didn’t know how God would do it. He just knew God would do it somehow.
4. Our Faith Must Depend On God’s Provision (cf. Gen 22:6-14)
- In verses 6 through 14 there are two statements that reveal the emphasis of this passage: “God will provide Himself a lamb for burnt offering” (v. 8); and “Jehovah-jireh” (v. 14), which means “The Lord will see to it,” that is, “The Lord will
- Abraham was able to climb Mt. Moriah because he was depending on God to provide for his needs.
Who else or what else could Abraham depend upon?
When we find ourselves in a trial, we must depend on God. While we thank God for others, friends, family, etc. to help us carry burdens, there are some trials in life that we must face alone. It is only then that we can see what our
Abraham could depend on the promise and provision of the Lord. He had already experienced the resurrection power of God in his own body (Rom. 4:19-21), so he knew that God could raise Isaac from the dead if that was His plan. (cf. Rom 4:19-21)
Because God has supplied our greatest need, we can trust Him with every need.
God did provide the sacrifice that was needed, and a ram took Isaac’s place on the altar.
Abraham discovered a new name for God – Jehovah-jireh- The Lord will see to it, i.e. provide.
The statement, “In the mount of the Lord it will be seen” helps us to understand some truths about the provision of the Lord.
1) Where does the Lord provide our needs? In the place of His
- Abraham was at the right place, so God could meet his needs. We have no right to expect provision from God if we are not in the will of God.
2) When does God meet our needs? Just when we have the need,
3) How does God provide for us? In ways that are usually quite
.
- God did not send an angel with a sacrifice; He simply allowed a ram to get caught in bush at a time when Abraham needed it and in a place where Abraham could get his hands on it. All Abraham needed was one animal, so God sent one, not a flock.
4) To whom does God give His provision? To those who trust him and obey His instructions.
- When we are doing the will of God, we have the right to expect the provision of God.
5) Why does God provide? For the
of His name.
Conclusion:
- The blessing of the trial is
- The word “blessed” means happy or fortunate. It has to do with inward happiness that is not dependent upon any outside circumstances or event.
- James does not say that a man is happy if he escapes trials. He says that a man is happy when he endures trials.