Slices
Prepare
How ‘stuck in a rut’ are you in your relationship with God? Ask him to renew and refresh you, though this may bring fresh challenges.
Bible passage
Abraham tested
22 Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, ‘Abraham!’
‘Here I am,’ he replied.
2 Then God said, ‘Take your son, your only son, whom you love – Isaac – and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain that I will show you.’
3 Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. 4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5 He said to his servants, ‘Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.’
6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, 7 Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, ‘Father?’
‘Yes, my son?’ Abraham replied.
‘The fire and wood are here,’ Isaac said, ‘but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?’
8 Abraham answered, ‘God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.’ And the two of them went on together.
Explore
In Genesis 12:1–4 God came to Abraham for the first time with clear instructions to give up his home, go somewhere new, somewhere unspecified. God would show him where. Abraham did exactly that (12:4). God was testing this man in an extraordinary way. Something in Abraham meant that he responded.
But God hadn’t finished. He tested Abraham again. What similarities and differences can you see between the previous testing and the testing in today’s reading? For over 30 years Abraham had been in a relationship with the living God, had known God’s guidance and protection, had seen the fulfilment of the promise of an inheritance. He had discovered God could be trusted. But at this point he must have wondered what God was up to.
Nonetheless he obeyed – and his answer to Isaac’s simple and obvious question (v 7) demonstrated just how much he trusted God (v 8). God was indeed testing him... but God would also provide. In the Lord’s prayer we pray ‘Lead us not into temptation’ as though we expect to be tested but might be found wanting. If we respond to God’s testing by continuing to trust him, our faith will be deepened.
Respond
How challenging are your circumstances? Can you discern that God is testing you to trust him more? Say the Lord’s prayer slowly, addressing God as ‘My Father’ and asking that you will be prevented from distrusting him.
Deeper Bible study
‘Turn your eyes upon Jesus, / look full in his wonderful face, / and the things of earth will grow strangely dim / in the light of his glory and grace.’1
End-of-year school exams do not often produce a spirit of excitement and rejoicing. The usual posture at this time can be anxiety, coupled with prayers to remember revision notes. Abraham’s faith was tested deeply when he was told to leave his people and country without knowing where he was to go.2 His previous encounters with God gave no indication of a greater test to come. God wanted Abraham to lean on him, grow in character and be ready for the big exam day when it came, a day known only to God, a day not expected by Abraham.
Despite failing earlier tests and fearing for his life,3 Abraham had matured spiritually and was ready for the biggest exam of his life: sacrificing Isaac, his only son, to God. Faith and security replaced fear and insecurity. He demonstrates maturity in handling God’s directive. No defiance, no bargaining, just humble obedience. Instructed by God to sacrifice his only son, Abraham humbly obeys. Travelling with the young Isaac to the place of sacrifice, the mature Abraham worships the everlasting God. Isaac’s enquiry about where the sacrifice was is responded to by a faith-filled Abraham, confidently prophesying God’s provision.
God’s exams provide no mocks, no notice of dates; revision notes are his Word. Abraham’s example is a model we can all follow. Is God asking you to sacrifice something at this stage of your faith journey? True faith will always be tested, offering us the opportunity to prove the depth of our love and devotion to him, above all people and things. We may not be required to sacrifice something that is bad. It may, however, be something that is important to us and may be even something that we love.
Lord, on the day of my big exam, help me to be fully ready so that I can serve you well in faithfulness.
1 Helen Howarth Lemmel, 1863–1961, ‘O soul, are you weary and troubled?’ 2 Gen 12:1 3 Gen 12:13; 20:11
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Judges 13,14; Proverbs 7,8
Pray for Scripture Union
Local mission partner Stort Valley Schools Trust asks us to pray for a renewed sense of vision for trustees and schools workers, for inspiration and wisdom in maintaining a relevant and appropriate approach to helping young people hear of the love of God, and reflect on their response to it.
