THE TESTING OF ABRAHAM

Text: Genesis 22
10 January 2012

(I) THE TESTING OF ABRAHAM

1. Specific mention that God tested Abraham (Genesis 22:1)

2. The test

a) To offer Isaac as a burnt sacrifice (Genesis 22:2)

b) Description of Isaac

i) Only son

ii) Beloved of his father (Genesis 22:2)

(II) THE OBEDIENCE OF ABRAHAM

1. Implicit obedience

a) No protest

b) No questions

c) No doubts

2. Preparation

a) Accompanied by 2 young men-servants (Genesis 22:3)

b) Isaac

c) Wood for offering

3. At the place of worship (Genesis 22:2, 4)

a) Mountain in Moriah

b) The 2 young servant were left behind

c) Abraham took Isaac with him to the place of worship

4. Words of profound faith

a) Stay here with the donkey (Genesis 22:5a)

b) The lad and I will go yonder and worship (Genesis 22:5b)

c) We will come back to you (Genesis 22:5c)

i) Tremendous faith

ii) Both will return!

(III) AT THE PLACE OF WORSHIP

1. Abraham

a) Knife

b) Fire

c) Unflinching

d) Focused on obeying the Lord

2. Isaac

a) Carried the firewood for the burnt sacrifice

b) Innocence

3. Poignant conversation between father and son

a) My father (Genesis 22:7a)

b) Here am I, my son (Genesis 22:7b)

c) Look, here is the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering (Genesis 22:7c)

d) My son, God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering (Genesis 22:8)

i) Deep faith

ii) God will provide the lamb