The Faith of Abraham

In Hebrews 11:17-19 we read about Abraham and how God called him to sacrifice Isaac.  Remember that Abraham was living under the promise that God would make a great nation from his descendants and that Isaac was the only son God had agreed to be in the lineage of what would become Israel.

Abraham demonstrates great faith as God tests him (v.17).  There is a key difference between a testing and a temptation.  Satan tempts us to fall and God tests us to be able to stand.  Abraham does not fall in the testing but steps forward and demonstrates incredible faith in God to keep his promise.

So great is Abraham’s faith that he considered that God could raise Isaac from the dead even if he followed through with God’s command to sacrifice him (v.19).  In fact, the original account in Genesis indicates that Abraham told his servants that he and the boy would return from the mountain (Genesis 22:5).  Before Abraham ever left, he believed that God would keep His promise to make a great nation through Isaac.

This is the faith of Abraham, the father of the Jewish nation.  It is the faith that you and I need to have if the course of a nation is to change.   It is a faith that places ultimate hope is in a Savior who died for you and me and can raise us to life.  It is a hope that calls for us to not withhold anything but surrender everything.  Abraham was willing to give up his son, his only son whom he loved.  God was willing to give us Jesus.  What are you willing to give?