SOAP 5.17.25

Scripture

Genesis 22:1-24

Verse 5 “…we will come back…”

Verse 8 “…God will provide a sheep…”

Observation

God tested Abraham’s faith on a deeply personal level: asking for what he holds most dear. While the passage states that Abraham did not hesitate, it is good to note the time between God’s command and the moment of sacrifice. I believe during that time Abraham, as anyone would, not only questioned God, but struggled to commit.

In the end, he remained obedient until an angel of the Lord intervenes and tells Abraham of the ram that God provided to be the sacrificial offering, instead of his son Isaac.

Two things stood out to me:

1. The obvious testing of faith involving something so precious to Abraham.
2. Abraham’s words in verses 5 and 8. He states that both he and Isaac will come right back and that God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering. Was this deception? Or did God act on Abraham’s faithful words to fulfill them? I don’t have an answer to that yet, but I believe it’s possible that Abraham’s faith-filled words became truth because of his trust in God.

Application

I must be mindful of what I put my time, heart, and soul into. Especially to the things I consider most precious to me…because at any moment, God may test my faith through them. I must be ready to freely give it back to God when he asks.

Prayer

Lord, I thank you for what you have given me. For the peaceful life you have brought upon me and for the foundation you have given me to do all things through you. I know that you have trials and tests of faith set before me, and I eagerly await that time so I may prove my faith in you. Amen.