For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved through him. The one who believes in him is not condemned. The one who does not believe has been condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God.
John 3:16-18
We have read of Abraham and his growing faith as we have moved through God’s story in Genesis. We watched him deal with trials; at times his faith was strong, but in other cases he failed the test of faith.
This week’s story is the climactic test of Abraham’s faith. When read alone, it seems like an overwhelming step of obedience, but when read and understood as the end of decades of walking with God and experiencing his loving kindness and faithfulness, we better understand how he got to this point.
Part One
God is referred to in this story by the name God our Provider. As we have already seen, biblical names represent something true of the one who is named. Keep in mind this name in this context and its connection to the name God our Savior as you read and journal.
Read Genesis 22:1-12 and Hebrews 11:17-19.
*** Read Isaiah 53:4-12, which prophesied God’s provision of salvation through Jesus. Record any thoughts you have.
Respond to the story:
- What, if any, difficulties do you have with this story and why?
- In light of the truth that God is all-knowing, what purposes might God have for Abraham’s, or anyone’s, test of faith?
- Considering both passages, what did Abraham believe about God that gave him the faith to obey him?
- What God-given promises help you persevere in faith when it is tested everyday or through a difficult time?
Over my decades in church, I have heard this story preached and taught many, many times. I’ve often left those gatherings knowing that I simply do not have this kind of faith—faith that would allow me to trust God with anything he asked me to give him. My mind goes to the worst situations, and I leave in fear. And yet, I’m not in this position. God promises to give me the grace I need as I walk through life in dependence on his Spirit. Until I face a challenge of faith as difficult as this one, I need to be more concerned about the daily challenges of believing what I do know about God so I can trust him with whatever comes my way that day. I don’t need to worry about tomorrow for myself or those whom I love.
Part Two
Read Genesis 22:13-19; John 3:16-18 (at the top of the lesson); Romans 5:6-11.
*** Read Galatians 3:8-14 and John 11:25-27, considering Jesus as your Savior. Note your feelings.
This week’s story pictures Jesus’s death on the cross to save us. Just as the ram became Isaac’s substitute, Jesus took our place to pay the price of our sins. Often in the Old Testament God used events in seed form to point to later and greater fulfillment.
Immediately after the man and woman sinned in Genesis 3:15, God proclaimed Jesus’s coming when he said to the serpent who was embodied by Satan, “And I will put hostility between you and the woman and between your offspring and her offspring; her offspring will attack your head, and you will attack her offspring’s heel.” God announced that the woman’s descendant (not the man’s) would destroy Satan and be injured himself, but not destroyed.
Record your thoughts on these questions:
- Consider the cost Jesus paid to reconcile you to God and bring you into his family.
- Describe where you are in your journey of faith in Jesus.
- What is God revealing about himself to you through this story?
Part Three
We have another big jump in time between Genesis 22 and 23. It isn’t clear what Isaac and Abraham’s ages were in Genesis 22, but we see here that Sarah is 127, having become a mother at about 90 years old. Since Isaac is referred to as a boy in Genesis 22, the time gap may be as much as 20 years.
Read Genesis 23:1-20 and Hebrews 11:8-16.
*** Read Matthew 6:25-34. Write down what it means to focus on God’s kingdom.
This story involves customs foreign to our culture. Sometimes that prevents us from understanding how the biblical story applies to us. I recommend investing in a reference book or two that can help you navigate the cultural aspects of the Bible. Many good study Bibles will provide great insights into the customs as well. Devotional Bibles are not usually quite as good at providing background information because they are not designed for that purpose.
The NET Bible, which I have used for our verses, has notes that may help, and it is completely free.
Respond to the story, noting your thoughts on these questions::
- Both Abraham and Sarah were people of faith. How would you describe Sarah’s faith as you look back at all we have read about her?
- How do you want to be remembered when your life on earth is over?
- What is God saying to you about where your focus is—on the here and now or eternity?
English (US) · 