Genesis 20-23

"After these things..."

Genesis 22 starts with this phrase.

After WHAT things? What has happened to Abraham up to this point?

Let's review

1. A voyage to the Promised Land (12:1–9)

2. A problem and solution in Egypt (12:10–20)

3. Division (chap. 13)

4. Victory against some kings (chap. 14)

5. The covenant of God (chap. 15)

6. Hagar and Ishmael are rejected (chap. 16)

7. God's confirmation of His covenant (chap. 17)

8. Birth of Isaac promised (18:1–15)

9. The big deal with Sodom and Gomorrah (18:16–19:38)

10. A Philistine appointment (chap. 20)

11. Isaac’s birth (chap. 21)



So...after those things. Those little things. Those parts of Abraham's life that seemed at points insurmountable. Where every step of the way Abraham was driven to his knees in dependence upon the Lord. God was using each step in our story up to now to refine Abraham. To make him into a man. To mold him into the kind of guy that trusts God with big things.

So that's it right?

No.


Our story picks up in Genesis 22.

"After these things... God tested Abraham..." (22:1)

Seems to me that the last 10 chapters have been filled with test after test after test of God for Abraham. But no, "After these things, God tested Abraham.

Ever feel that way? Like life is full of hardship after hardship after problem after problem?

Well you're not alone.

In the book of James chapter one it says,

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,"

The question isn't if, the question is when. "When you meet trials." They're coming. They're going to happen. No one gets a trial free life, especially the Christian. In fact, I believe Scripture would argue that if you're life is light and fluffy, filled with trial free days and carefree nights, that you probably aren't a child of God.

So, when trials do come, we're supposed to, "Count it all joy."

Why is this?

James answers, "for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Trials in life are sent from God to produce in you a steadfast faith. A faith that can't be shaken. An old saying: "A faith never tested is no faith at all."

So apparently God wants to produce in Abraham a steadfast faith.

Ok. What is the trial? Back to the text:

"He said, "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you."

Awkward.

Remember the journey to Isaac? Remember how Abraham and his wife were old and all the issues involved with Ishmael and how God promised a future through Isaac and everything else about this story?

Well now God throws a curve ball it seems.

Basically saying, "I realize I promised Isaac to you but I'd like you to take him up on a hill and cut his throat and burn his body as an act of worship to Me."

Kind of an odd request. God is requiring a sacrifice.

Certainly odd by our standards today.

Well you know the story: God was testing Abraham and had no intention of letting Abraham kill his son. No, God's plan, from the beginning was to have another lamb slaughtered in Isaac's place. Abraham was handed a substitute to save his son Isaac. Isaac was saved by the lamb.

Sound familiar? Of course this is foreshadowing of things to come. It's a grand glimpse into the future of God's redemptive plan for human kind: The glorious appearing of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

When the time came, payment was required in order for God's wrath against mankind to be satisfied and once again, God provided the lamb: His Son, The Lord Jesus.

God killed His son in order that He doesn't have to kill us. He killed Jesus that we might be saved from His wrath.

Most of you reading this blog believe that to be true. I wonder, have you had the faith today to tell that old, old story to someone who does not yet believe?

Scripture says, "today is the day of Salvation." So may we take today as a gift from God and use it to proclaim the glorious Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.