Testing

Hebrews 11-Part 10
By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.  Hebrews 11:17-19

Review:
At what age was Abraham when certain events took place in his life?
-75 when he left Ur, homeland,
-86 when Ishmael was born,
-100 when Isaac was born,
-137 when Sarah died,
-160 when grandson Jacob was born.
-175 when Abraham died.

What promises had God made to  Abraham? What promises had he received so far?

• He would have a son of promise (from Sarah).
• His offspring would be as numerous as the stars and sand.
• He would inherit the land of Canaan.
• The Messiah Himself should be of his seed.

It was by faith that Abraham went out from Ur, his homeland, following God, not knowing where he was going. (Hebrews 11:8)
It was by faith that Abraham sojourned in the land of promise, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob.
(Hebrews 11:9)
That brings us up to date in the life of Abraham. Shall we see what's happening now?

LET IT GLOW

So far, Abraham had received a son, just as God had pormised; Isaac was born by Sarah just as he was foretold in Genesis 17.
As the faithful servants are listed in the Roll Call of Faith, before their name, the scripture begins "By faith...".

Abraham and Sarah received their son of promise by faith, believing God was able and would fulfill His promise to them.

Do I believe  that God is able to keep His promises to me? Is my faith strong enough to wait on those promises to come to pass? Abraham and Sarah waited 25 years for Isaac to be born. It was all according to God's timetable.


LET IT GROW

Jerry Vines said, "Faith is trusting what God says and acting upon it regardless of circumstances or consequences."

Hebrews 11:6 tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God.

"Whatever God requires is justice and good. He is the Lord of life. So He has the right to dispose and take away life, when and by what means, instruments He thinks fit," said John Gill.

Abraham's faith was tested again (Genesis 22:1). King James uses the word tempt.
Tempt, nacah (naw-saw') in Hebrew, means to test, prove, try. (Strong's Concordance)

The verb tense for offered up indicates that as far as Abraham was concerned the sacrifice was complete. In his will and in his purpose, he really did sacrivice his son.  (David Guzik)

Accounting is a term from arithmetic expressing "a decisive and carefully reasoned act." It means Abraham calculated God's promise worthy of confidence. Isaac was as good as dead. It was from the dead that he received him back, in a manner that prefigured the resurrection of Jesus. (Guthrie)

Accounting in Thayer's Lexicon means to consider, take account, weigh, meditate on; tried means to try, make trial of test: of God.

Charles Swindoll, in his study guide on Hebrews, enlightens us about testing:

Life is marked by tests. Some are major, most are minor; some linger, most leave about as quickly as they arrive. In this process of growth toward maturity, trouble plays an essential role: it puts faith on the line. Occassionally, we encounter a time of testing that is so difficult that it fits into a category all of its own: an ultimate test. That's what Abraham was forced to face one day when God broke the silence and told him...
The word in 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 reveal four levels of stress. the levels of testing or stress asre indicated by the following terms:

1. Afflicted. This is the slightest level of testing. It is mild or moderate. The Greek word Paul uses is the one from which we get our word "pressure." This type of stress comes from people, deadlines, interruptions, and delays. It is easily forgotten but it attacks us on a daily basis.
2. Perplexed. This indicates a level of testing which is more intense than the former and less often experienced. The term means "without a way" and conveys the idea of not knowing where to go or to whom one can turn. This kind of testing would include not knowing how to handle unfair treatment from unfair people.
3. Persecuted. This is an extreme level of testing. It can be either emotional or physical. This form of irritation or stress does not pass quickly.
4. Struck Down. This is ultimate testing, maximum stress. It can include the loss of someone or something near and dear to you: a spouse to divorce; a mate, child, friend to death; something you considered valuable; a dream. For Abraham, it was the potentioal loss of his "only begotten son" (verse 17).

God had brought to Abraham an ultimate test: offer Isaac as a sacrifice. He believed that God existed and was the rewarder of those who sought HIm. He trusted God. Abraham's faith was immediate and was characterized by confidence.

"Testing reveals your heart," said Blackaby.

The picture of Isaac here is a type of Christ. Let's compare how the two were alike:

• miracle birth,
• circumsized on 8th day,
• sons of Abraham,
• only begotten son,
• heirs,
• carried the wood on which they were offered,
• offered on a Mount,
• offered by their faither, by whom neither of them were spared,
• by the command of God,
• were alone,
• neither had bones broken,
• delivered on 3rd day, one delivered from death, other really from death,
• returned to father's house.

God was testing Abraham's love for God.  He wanted to see if Abraham loved God more than his only begotten son, son of promise.
Abraham believed in the resurrection, that God had the power to raise Isaac.
Has God asked you to give up anything lately? Is there something you would not sacrifice to God because you love Him most?

LET IT GO

Let go of whatever God wants.

Love God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Trust God to keep His promises.