The Ultimate Sacrifice

Genesis 22:1–2

SOME YEARS after receiving Isaac, as promised by God, the time had come for Abraham’s faith to be put to the supreme test. God is, of course, omniscient. He doesn’t put people to a test to see how well their faith responds under fire; He prepares tests of faith to show us what He has made of us lately.

At this point in Abraham’s faith journey, his faith was put to the test with an unusual and unexpected command. God said, “Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you” (Genesis 22:2).

When Abraham and Isaac arrived at the place where God had instructed him to go, Abraham built an altar. It must have felt like he was turning down the sheets on a deathbed. The faithful father then looked at his son and calmly said, “Lie down on the altar, Isaac.”

At the final moment, God intervened and provided a ram to be sacrificed in Isaac’s place. But that day Abraham passed the ultimate test. The Lord allowed this drama to play out to demonstrate the completeness of the patriarch’s faith—both to Abraham himself and to the world at large.

Think about what provision you need that only God can provide. What do you really need from the Lord? Follow Abraham’s example. Don’t presume to tell the Lord what to do, and don’t waste your time guessing how He might accomplish doing it. Simply trust Him. Accept whatever He chooses to provide, regardless of how unlikely or unusual. And all the while, you can rest in His unfailing love and righteous character.

 

REFLECT

What do you treasure most on this earth? How would you respond if God asked you to surrender that person or thing to Him?

 

It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him.

HEBREWS 11:17

Has God worked in your life in a significant way through Chuck Swindoll and the ministry of Insight for Living? Whatever your story, we’d love for you to tell it to us! Psalm 9:11 tells us to “declare among the peoples His deeds” so others can be encouraged. Submit your story.

Taken from Faith for the Journey by Charles Swindoll. Copyright © 2014 by Charles R. Swindoll. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.

Posted in Bible Characters, Christian Living, God's Will and tagged .

Accuracy, clarity, and practicality all describe the Bible-teaching ministry of Charles R. Swindoll. Chuck is the chairman of the board at Insight for Living and the chancellor of Dallas Theological Seminary. Chuck also serves as the senior pastor of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas, where he is able to do what he loves most—teach the Bible to willing hearts. His focus on practical Bible application has been heard on the Insight for Living radio broadcast since 1979.