Tested on the Mountain

The Dome of the Rock sits on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem

We often think about being tested in the valleys and low places of life, but in today's reading Abraham is tested on the mountain. God tells him to take his son Isaac to a particular mountain, Mount Moriah, and there to sacrifice his son! This is just so incredible! It seems like such an unbelievable demand. You would think that the very first response would be to doubt the source of this command. Surely this couldn't be the same God who gave Abraham the promise that he and Sarah would have a child who would be the child of promise. There is however no record of Abraham questioning God! Do you wonder why? In this posting I want to share some thoughts about why he didn't question God.

First there is such a record of Abraham's relationship with God. Abraham has heard God speak to him on so many other occasions that he recognizes God's voice immediately. If there is a need we have in our relationship with God, it is to become familiar with God's voice and to listen to Him. Jesus said in John 10:27,

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

The more we spend time listening to God speak the sensitive we become to His voice and the more quickly we recognize His voice when He speaks to us.

Then Abraham trusted God's word to him. Because Abraham had already seen God fulfill his word, he knew from experience that God kept His promises. He didn't understand how God was going to fulfill his promise to give him and Sarah a son, but God came through. Therefore, Abraham had no reason to doubt him now.

Lastly Abraham believed that God could and would do the miraculous to fulfill His word. God had given Abraham and Sarah the miraculous birth of Isaac. Why should he not believe that God could raise Isaac from the dead if necessary? Note Abraham's response to Isaac's question,

"The fire and wood are here," Isaac said,
"but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?"
Abraham answered, "God himself will provide
the lamb for the burnt offering, my son."
And the two of them went on together.

God does provide a lamb, but these words are more than prophetic in the sense that Isaac would be spared from sacrifice. There was a ram provided in place of Isaac, but the Lamb comes much later. It interesting that Jesus Christ is that Lamb which takes away the sin of the world, the Lamb that God provides.

Abraham passed the test on the mountain. He obeyed God even though he didn't understand, because he knew and trusted the voice of God. This morning I want to encourage you to know Christ better. Become so familiar with Him that you will hear and trust Him no matter what. Then you will be ready for your test on the mountain, too. Have a blessed day.