This passage of scripture begins by saying that it came to pass that God did tempt Abraham. (Genesis 22:1 KJV; And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham.) In this context, the word tempt, means test. God decided to test Abraham. God’s test was not for the purpose of merely placing Abraham in the midst of difficulty or to set Abraham up for failure. God had a purpose for testing Abraham. This purpose was centered on God’s desire to see how much Abraham feared Him. (Genesis 22:12b MSG; now I know that how fearlessly you fear God.) To fear God means to reverence God. God wanted to know whether Abraham reverences Him enough to not only trust Him but to obey Him as well. After all, God had great blessings in store for Abraham. God promised to bless Abraham and to make Abraham to be a blessing. (Genesis 12:2 KJV; And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing.)
God has great things in store for us as well. The question is whether we reverence God enough to trust and obey Him regardless to how difficult our way may be. Some people fuss and complain when they are tested by trials, tribulations, or even confronted with one of life’s difficult decisions. However, Abraham had enough trust in God to not only trust God but to obey God as well. Abraham did not even question God, but did whatever God directed him to do. For that, Abraham was tremendously blessed by God. It was in the Land of Moriah that Abraham said “in the mount of the Lord is shall be seen” (Gen 22:14 KJV) and named that place “Jehovahjireh.” Jehovahjireh means the Lord will provide.
We will do well to trust and obey God as well. When confronted with life’s difficulties, try not to murmur and complain, knowing that the Lord will provide. The Lord will provide by not only being with you through the test, but will bless you if you will just pass the test! You will pass the test through your obedience to His will. Let’s trust and obey God by doing His will. The Lord will provide!
With the love of Christ Jesus,
Rev. Dr. A.L. Purham, Sr., Pastor
Freedom Baptist Church of Duncan, SC
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