Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then He said, “Take now 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.”

Genesis 22 is a mind-blowing chapter to me. As the book of Genesis is the book of beginnings, it is in this chapter we have the first mention of the word “love” in the Bible, beginning in verse 1. The chapter will go on to mention, for the first time, the word “worship” and “lamb,” used as a sacrifice. The word “Jehovah-Jireh” (the Lord will provide) is also mentioned for the first time, which introduces the concept of “propitiation,” or substitute, in the context of sacrifice. Jesus Christ has been called the scarlet thread of the Bible, connecting all from Genesis to Revelation.

Our text says, “After these things.” After many years raising his son—his only son Isaac—Abraham is tested by God, and it is not an easy test. God does not test His people to do harm or play cruel games in their lives. God will test His people to prove and strengthen their faith. The tests will reveal how far one has gone in his relationship with God, and how much farther one has to go, as it should always be growing. Tests typically are not fun, but will reveal information that—when acted on—will lead to greater obedience and submission to God. If one’s desire is to grow in the grace and knowledge of God, he will come to understand tests as challenging, yet beneficial. Blessing comes on the other side if the appropriate application and actions are taken.

The test in our passage was for Abraham to obey God and sacrifice his son, his only son Isaac, whom Abraham dearly loved. I believe love, God’s love, is the most important concept in the Bible, because love is what God is all about. The first mention here of the word in our passage speaks of the love of a father for his son. In the New Testament, the first time the word love is mentioned is in Matthew 3:17 when, following the baptism of Jesus, a voice (God the Father) was heard from heaven saying: “This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased.” God loved Jesus. John, in his gospel, makes the first mention of love in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world he gave (sacrificed) his only begotten son [Jesus Christ].”

It’s interesting that, contrasting to Isaac is Abraham’s son Ishmael. Why did God not want Abraham to offer up Ishmael instead of Isaac? Ishmael is generally recognized by biblical scholars as a work of the flesh and not the promised work of the Spirit, as seen in Isaac. How often do we offer up works of the flesh to please God rather than true sacrifice in the spirit? But God does not accept works of the flesh, although we think we can fool him. “If I give enough money, if I clock in enough hours reading my Bible, praying, serving… that will be pleasing to God.” No, my friend. God looks at the heart behind the work. Those done in the spirit of God, not of our flesh, will always be accepted and pleasing to God.

As we read this text, we know Abraham will be obedient to God’s test and offer up his son. (And there are so many beautiful parallels in this story to how our Heavenly Father sacrificed His own Son for us!). In the “Hall of Faith” from the book of Hebrews 11:17-19, it tells us, “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, ‘In Isaac your seed shall be called.'” A declaration of truth “concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead.” Abraham believed.

What about you beloved? How do you react when the tests of faith come upon you? Do you stand in faith ever growing with God, or do you wilt in doubt ever struggling in guilt and shame? Be strong and of good courage today. God loves you and will empower you by the Spirit to stand tall and strong in the midst of any test. Obey and be changed, and you will be blessed. For you serve a God Who has power over death and sin and Who loves you deeply.

By Pastor David Massie, Bible League International contributor, California U.S.