A Measure of Faith
“And He said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from Me.” Genesis 22:12
Isaac was the promised son to Abraham and Sarah, born in their old age. Isaac was the descendant who would be the first in line of a multitude of God’s chosen people. But even as Isaac was the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham, God tested Abraham. God told him to sacrifice Isaac as a burnt offering to Him on Mt. Moriah. If Abraham questioned God, it is not recorded in scripture.
The next morning he saddled up, took two servants and Isaac and a load of wood, setting out for Moriah. The journey took them three days, which was a long time for Abraham to think about what he was about to do. When they arrived at their destination, Abraham took the wood and Isaac and left the two servants alone. Isaac was naturally puzzled because he knew his father was going to sacrifice unto the LORD, but they didn’t bring any rams, oxen or sheep to use as the sacrifice. Isaac pointed out to his father that they had wood for a fire, but asked where was the lamb for the burnt offering? Abraham answered with a faithful reply, “My son, God will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering” (Genesis 22:8).
I suppose that Isaac was completely taken by surprise as his father bound him to the altar and raised his hand that held his knife over his son. Isaac must have been so afraid. He likely couldn’t believe what was happening. This was his father whom he loved and trusted. How could he sacrifice his own son? Before Abraham could bring the knife down upon Isaac and make the fatal blow, the angel of the LORD called out to him to stop him. God spoke through the angel and told Abraham to not lay his hand upon Isaac for He now knew that Abraham feared Him because he was willing to sacrifice his son for God’s glory. Abraham looked up and spotted a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. There was the offering that Abraham trusted God to provide.
The question that arises is that since God is omniscient, that is, He knows everything from beginning to end, that there is no past, present or future, but everything to God is in real time, and that He knows what we are going to think before we think it, why would He say that Abraham’s obedience was proof to Him that Abraham truly feared and revered God? Wouldn’t God have known that? Of course He would have known Abraham’s reaction to His command. This test of faith was not to show God that Abraham was a faithful servant, but to strengthen the faith of Abraham and Isaac. How could they have known if they had sufficient faith unless it was put to the test? The same goes for us. Faith is like a muscle–it must be used in order for it to be strengthened. Romans 12:3 tells us that God gives each of us a measure of faith. It is up to us as to whether we will use it for His glory or let it atrophy like an unused muscle which benefits no one.