June Bible Study

“The 20th century painting shown here portrays Abraham with his arms embracing Isaac. The knife and the wood are visible, but it’s the love that stands out.”

Image Source: https://milewis.wordpress.com/2017/06/30/your-only-beloved-son/

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The story of Abraham in the Book of Genesis centres around the themes of posterity and land. Abraham, the father of faith, faced a pivotal test from God to determine his embodiment of faith. God created mankind in His image, but man’s actions often stray from His intended purpose. Genesis 1:26-27 describes how God created mankind in His image, male and female, to rule over the earth’s creatures.

Faith in Action
Noah built an ark to save his family by faith when warned about things not yet seen. 

The Tower of Babel story reveals mankind’s arrogance. The builders wanted to build a tower that reached the heavens to make a name for themselves, which led to their dispersal for defying God’s will. 

Abram’s faith was tested with Isaac, his beloved son, who was sent to Mount Moriah as a burnt offering. Despite the challenge, Abraham followed God’s command wholly.

Let’s look at his attitude, an example worth learning from.

» Without hesitation 
Abraham obeyed God’s orders promptly and without hesitation, demonstrating his unwavering devotion. (Genesis 22:3 NIV) 

» Facing the test of time
Abraham endured three days of suffering during his journey from home. He faced moments of excruciating pain, doubt, and the temptation to give up. Was this a test of his faith or an inhumane challenge? Nevertheless, Abraham persevered without faltering in his determination to dedicate himself. This test was indeed a testament to his unwavering faith. 

» Remove unnecessary hindrances
Genesis 22:5 (NIV) states, “He said to his servants, ‘Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship, and then we will come back to you.’”

After they reached their destination, he instructed his servants to stay with the donkey. He understood that to follow God’s command, he needed to set aside his personal biases and confront crucial moments with unwavering determination. This mindset exemplified his complete obedience to God’s instructions.

» Wise answer
Abraham and his son went to offer a sacrifice. His son noticed there was no lamb and asked him about it. Abraham wisely replied that God would provide the lamb for the offering. This showed his faith and dedication, as he could have told the truth and frightened his son.

The Peak of the story
When God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac, he didn’t just pretend to do it. He took a knife intending to kill his son. However, at the peak of the story, God intervened to prevent the sacrifice from happening. It was not God’s intention for Abraham to sacrifice his son, but rather to test his faith.

In the end, God was pleased with Abraham’s faith and devotion. After the test, Abraham’s faith was stronger than ever, and it was evident that his fear of God was greater than his love for his son. Therefore, the Lord promised to bless Abraham and his descendants, making them as numerous as the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Through Abraham’s offspring, all nations on earth would be blessed because of his obedience to God. This story serves as a reminder of the importance of faith and obedience in the face of adversity. 

Conclusion
Let’s look at Abraham dedicating his son Isaac to God. This event reminds us that although it may seem simple to obey God, putting it into action can be challenging, especially when it involves our loved ones and the opinions of those around us.

As a father, Abraham accepted God’s greatest challenge, overcame it, and received an unimaginable blessing from God. By reflecting on Abraham’s story, we can learn how to demonstrate our faith in God to our families and children.

Let us search our hearts:

• What do you think of God’s request to sacrifice Isaac to Him?
• What can you learn from Abraham’s attitudes?
• Is there anything you are unwilling to give up in your current situation? Why? 

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