Genesis 22:1

ABRAHAM OFFERING ISAAC. -- Genesis 22:1-14.

GOLDEN TEXT. -- God will provide himself. lamb for. burnt offering. -- Genesis 22:8. TIME. --About B. C. 1872. PLACE. --Beersheba, in South Palestine, and Mt. Moriah, the land of Moriah, probably at Jerusalem. HELPFUL READINGS. -- Genesis 18:9-15; Genesis 21:1-8; Hebrews 11:17-19; James 2:17-23. LESSON ANALYSIS. --I. The Trial of Faith; 2. Abraham Not Found Wanting; 3. Jehovah Jireh.

INTRODUCTION.

High above all others, in point of the fierceness of the trial and the wonderful spirit of calm and steadfast faith and endurance, stands the case of God's command, and Abraham consent, to sacrifice his son Isaac... We can readily make up what may seem to us very strong arguments against obedience to such. command; but it does not appear that he whispered in his heart the first one of them. The only hint we have of his deep thoughts in the case comes through the writer to the Hebrew Christians--"Accounting that God was able to raise him even from the dead." Plainly the Lord intended to make known that his command, when clearly uttered, is to be obeyed without debate, with no misgivings, no doubting, no fear.... This was the obedience of faith. The wonderful illustration stands out before all the ages with God's seal of approbation stamped upon it.-- Cowles.

I. THE TRIAL OF FAITH.

1. It came to pass after these things that God did tempt Abraham.

It would be more correct to say "God tried Abraham." James tells us that "God tempteth no man," but often subjects his servants to trials. This was not Abraham's only trial. In truth all his life had been. trial. There was outward prosperity, but much inward suffering. For many years while life was waning away he had no heir. Then came the parting with Lot; then the banishment of Hagar and Ishmael. Again, he had run the risk of losing Sarah and his own life twice. The dangers and misfortunes of Lot, public calamities, famine--all added their sum to the account. But now comes. trial that throws all before into the shade.