Genesis 22:1-18 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said to him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.… I. IT WAS A TRIAL FOR WHICH ABRAHAM HAD BEEN CAREFULLY PREPARED. 1. By his spiritual history. 2. By a life of trial. II. IT WAS A TRIAL OF REMARKABLE SEVERITY. 1. The violence done to his natural feelings. 2. The violence done to his feelings as a religious man. III. THIS TRIAL WAS ENDURED IN THE SPIRIT OF AN EXTRAORDINARY FAITH. His obedience was — 1. Unquestioning. 2. Complete. 3. Marked by humility. 4. Inspired by trust in a personal God. IV. GOD REWARDED HIS FAITHFUL ENDURANCE OF THE TRIAL. 1. By taking the will for the deed. 2. By renewing His promises. 3. By turning the occasion of the trial into a revelation of the day of Christ. (1) He sees represented the sacrifice of the only-begotten and well-beloved Son of God. (2) There is suggested to him the idea of substitution. (3) The resurrection of Christ and His return to glory are also represented.Learn: 1. That the most distinguished of God's servants are often subjected to the greatest trials. 2. That trials test the strength and spirituality of our faith. 3. That trials well endured set spiritual truths in a clearer and more affecting light. (T. H. Leale.) Parallel Verses KJV: And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. |
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