Kathy's Bible StudyCourtesy Of Firequill Publications email: FireQuill@cox.net

By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice.
(Hebrews 11:17)

Temptation is Satan’s way of getting us into his camp – away from God. A test is God’s way of bringing us closer to Himself – away from Satan. Abraham knew the difference.

God must have had great confidence in Abraham, and Abraham in God. God’s vote of confidence in Abraham not only concerned his obedience, but also his faith and love.

Obedience —  When the Lord commanded Abraham to offer his son, he responded immediately. He did not plead for time to consider the consequences. He did not argue with God. “Early the next morning he got up…” (Genesis 22:3).

Obedience without reservation.

Faith — Isaac was the child of promise. How could God keep His promise and let Isaac die? Because Abraham knew: God is able. “He reasoned that God could raise the dead” (Hebrews 11:19). What faith. Abraham had never heard of anyone having been raised from the dead yet he believed: God is able.

Faith without doubt.

Love — Who comes first? Isaac was the answer to God’s promise, the child of his old age, the laughter of his life. His dearest possession on earth. Yet, God came first.

Love without limits.

Abraham passed the test. Have you?

If Abraham was to have received an award it would have contained this inscription: “Abraham, pioneer of faith – friend of God.”

©1995 Open Doors International. Used by permission.

You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.

(Hebrews 10:36)

A right motive – a wrong method; that is what happened when Abraham took Hagar to secure a successor. Instead of waiting for God’s timing, he tried to help God fulfill His promise.

It is always dangerous to take things into your own hands. Abraham adopted carnal means to achieve a spiritual end. The consequences were enormous and are still being felt today. God’s chosen successor was Isaac – from which line came Jesus Christ. Abraham’s chosen plan was Ishmael – from which line came Mohammed. Through faith Abraham was to become a blessing to all the nations. Through unbelief one of the greatest foes of Christ would be born – the founder of Islam which claims that God has no Son.

Abraham had to send Ishmael away. He did so, with only a water bottle, yet God took care of Ishmael. When the boy would have died of thirst God provided more than a water bottle – he provided a well.

He still does.

May all of Ishmael’s offspring drink from that fountain of living water – provided by God, through Jesus Christ, His Son. May we be willing to be God’s channels.