GENESIS 22:1-2; 1 PETER 1:3-7
God wanted Abraham to prove that he loved Him more than the things of this life and
more than any other person. For this test God chose the person who was the dearest
object of Abraham's life— Isaac. God may sometimes test you this way also. Although
the test may be severe and may involve the dearest person or thing in your life, you will
be a better person for God as a result of the test.
The offering of human sacrifices was a common practice of the heathen in Abraham's
time. However, there is no other incident where God tested a believer in this particular
way. Human sacrifices were strongly condemned by God in the Old Testament. His
people, Israel, were to totally abstain from this heathen practice. But with Abraham, God
chose this test to prove whom Abraham loved most. God knew what he would do.
When God promised him a son, Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for
righteousness. But having received the promised son, there was the danger that
Abraham would give more of his attention to the gift than to the Giver.
He knew that out of Isaac would come the descendants God had promised. Abraham
was in danger of concentrating on the fulfillment of God's promise to the exclusion of
God Himself, who had made the promise.
Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps (1 Pet.
2:21).

Theodore Epp
www.backtothebible.in