Read Genesis 22:1-13.

 

Unwavering, Obedient Faith

"And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah;

and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of" (v. 2).

 

How did a man from an idolatrous, sinful society become the father of our faith? What enabled him to hear and obey when he was called out of Ur of the Chaldees (Genesis 12:1-3)? What inspired Abraham to trust God when directed to sacrifice his son?

While scripture provides little insight into Abraham's relationship with God prior to this call, we find some clues about what enabled him to walk in unwavering obedience. First, Abraham likely learned of God from his forefathers. Abraham was a descendant of Noah through Shem, who was old enough to have known Methuselah and who actually outlived Abraham. From Shem, Abraham may have learned of the one true God. Hearing stories of God’s faithfulness before and after the Flood, he would have learned to trust God (James 2:23).

Second, Abraham had enough of a relationship with God to recognize His voice. When God called him to leave his home for an unknown destination, Abraham went, trusting in God’s promises. Third, Abraham eventually developed such a close friendship with God that, when God asked him to sacrifice his son, Abraham had no doubt who was asking. Because of God’s faithfulness to Abraham over decades, he trusted God--even when it didn't seem to make sense.

May God help us to walk so closely with God that we know Him fully and trust Him completely! (Lyle Witt)

“But we never can prove the delights of his love

Until all on the altar we lay;

For the favor he shows,

For the joy he bestows,

Are for them who will trust and obey.”

--- John Sammis

 

God, help us to trust and obey You!