ABRAHAM: TRIUMPH THROUGH TESTS

And He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for NOW I KNOW that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me” – Genesis 22:12 (NKJV)

Abraham was not only processed through tests, he also triumphed through tests. The promise of a son brought him face to face with the TEST of the IMPOSSIBLE. The fact of the physical impossibility of Abraham and Sarah to have a child, both of them being past age, provided faith with its opportunity. All the evidence was contrary and every reason for believing was absent, yet the facts of his impotence and Sarah’s apparent barrenness did not diminish Abraham’s faith. His faith had been tried and had grown through exercise. This was the faith that was counted to him for righteousness (Rom.4:19-22).

The highpoint of Abraham’s spiritual development centred in God’s command that he offer Isaac as a burnt-offering, an act which was to foreshadow the sacrifice of God’s own beloved Son. The offering of Isaac involved a test of obedience, a test of faith, and a test of love. Abraham had learned his lesson of OBEDIENCE thoroughly; he did not argue with God. He did not plead for an extension of time. When called upon to separate from Ishmael, he rose at dawn to obey God (Gen.21:14). When commanded to offer up Isaac, again he rose early in the morning, obeying without reservation (Gen.22:3).

Abraham also passed the TEST of FAITH: “he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God” (Rom.4:20). Although he had no tangible basis for his faith, Abraham had absolute confidence in the Love and Power of God. Although he had never heard of anyone having been raised from the dead, so robust and restful was his faith that he counted on God performing an unimaginable miracle in order to keep faith with his child and fulfil His promise. He counted “that God was able to raise him up even from the dead” (Heb.11:19).

God’s demand was also a TEST of LOVE. The crucial question in man’s relationship with God is: Who comes first? Did Isaac or God hold the pre-eminent place in Abraham’s heart? God had asked of him the most precious thing in his life. Could any test have been more touching than this? Of course, it was not Isaac God wanted, but Abraham: not the death OF Isaac, but the death IN Abraham of that thing which could cause him to give Isaac pre-eminence over God in his affections.  God did provide Himself a lamb for a burnt-offering. Once again, after Abraham had passed the supreme test, God’s Voice broke the silence: “NOW I KNOW that you fear God…” and full obedience brought triumphant blessing (Gen.22:12, 16-18).

Abraham had graduated. His days of probation were over. As God’s chosen Vessel he was now polished and poised in the hand of the Heavenly Father. His diploma was inscribed, “Abraham, friend of God and father of the faithful”! Beloved, never you shy away from divine tests; embrace them. No tests; no testimonies. No trials, no triumphs. No cross; no crown!