Article - Faith Sees
The story of Abraham is a true picture of faith from beginning to end. Perhaps this is no more evident than in his greatest test.
Abraham and his wife Sarah had been promised a child by God. Not only a child, but a legacy, a nation. In their twilight years they received the promise. Isaac was born, and God proved Himself true. Then, as the child was probably in his teen years, God spoke to Abraham and directed him to take his son Isaac, and sacrifice him. But Abraham knew that God had promised to make him a great nation through Isaac. So when God asked him to sacrifice his only son, by faith he saw the bigger picture.
FAITH SEES BEYOND THE NIGHT
Genesis 22 tells us that after receiving the directive from God, Abraham got up early to obey. Maybe you have experienced a night that preceded a dreaded day. It seems as though the weight of the world crushes you in the darkness. These nights are long and wearying. We pray the dawn never comes. Then as the day comes we are so tired and worn out, that we slowly get to the task. We put off the hard things in life as long as possible. But not Abraham. Abraham had faith. And faith see beyond the night. Abraham truly believed that God was going to bless him through Isaac. So Abraham did not fear the darkness of disbelief. Abraham's faith saw beyond the night, and got him up early to obey God.
FAITH SEES BEYOND THE MOUNTAIN
We then see the journey of Abraham, Isaac, and their servants to the foot of the mountain of sacrifice. At the base of the mountain Abraham turned to the servants and told them that he and Isaac would return after their time of worship to God. No one else knew of God's command at this point. As far as the servants knew, it was just another time for Abraham and Isaac to go and spend time with God. It was going to be a hard long walk up this mountain to the place of sacrifice, especially without the help of servants and pack animals. The terrain was not easy, and the climb would be challenging. But faith sees beyond the mountain. The hard paths we travel in our lives take their toll on our body, our mind, and our spirit. We look at the hard things ahead of us in the light of the hard things in our past and it makes us look for another way. There has to be another way. Abraham was not looking at the mountain. His faith saw beyond the mountain, and turned to his servants to say, "WE will return."
FAITH SEES BEYOND THE SACRIFICE.
On the way up the mountain, Isaac noticed that there was no animal to be killed. He was carrying the wood. There was a knife. They even had fire. But no animal. How can you sacrifice with no animal? He asked his father about this problem. Abraham answered him, "The Lord will provide a sacrifice." Was Abraham suffering from dementia? Was he trying to deceive his son? No. Faith sees beyond the sacrifice. Abraham believed God so much, that he knew if he had to kill Isaac, God was going to raise him from the dead. Faith saw that no price was too great to offer to God. Sometimes we try to figure up whether or not the price we pay will be worth the blessing we receive, or even whether or not we can afford the price. God always gives more than He takes. Abraham did not focus on the sacrifice, but on God. The book of Hebrews relates the story by saying that Abraham received his son back from the dead. He actually offered his son totally to God, which was the test.
Abraham passed the test. Is there any wonder why he is called the "Father of the Faithful"?
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