The Meaning Of Life

https://biblehub.com/nkjv/genesis/22.htm

This is one of the many passages in the Bible that I have difficulty understanding. The Bible says God “tested” Abraham, but I don’t believe this is what it means at face value. God is all-knowing; he knows what is in our hearts and minds (another scripture; “God knows the heart”), therefore I believe He knew Abraham inside and out. He instructed Abraham to offer his son Isaac as a burnt offering, and I am confident that God knew Abraham was faithful.

I believe this was a “lesson” to Abraham. And to us.

There is no need for me to explain the test, you can read if for yourself. But these are the points that strike me.

Isaac was able to resist. He was able to fight back, to attempt to flee his own death, but he didn’t. That is because like Abraham, Isaac trusted in God’s Will. If it was meant to be, then it was meant to be.

Isaac also was obedient to his father. His father told him to accompany him, he even carried the wood for his own fire. and in the end, he was saved because of his own faith. Do we listen to God? Do we have faith in His plan? Or do we run from God thinking we are saving ourselves?

Likewise, Abraham had the same faith. He knew, no matter how strongly he wanted to resist, he knew that the sacrifice of Isaac was necessary to fulfill God’s Will, His plan. He didn’t run from God when he could have, he fulfilled what God told him to do.

And finally, isn’t it ironic that just as Abraham was ready to kill Isaac, a ram with thorns around his head came to save Isaac?

11But the Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!”

Notice how the word “angel” is capitalized? To me this means it is a Holy name, in fact, I believe the “Angel” of the Lord is Jesus. While Jesus wasn’t an angel, He was the Archangel in charge of all the angels. And after Abraham answered,

12And He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”

Just like the word Angel, the word “He” is capitalized, meaning it is Holy. I have no doubt in my mind that this was Jesus talking to Abraham, in the Old Testament, before he was Jesus incarnate.

Maybe after Abraham and Sarah used Hagar as a surrogate, maybe God decided that Abraham had to have an injection of more faith, and to go through what Abraham did would certainly give you more faith.

Father, let us learn each and every lesson You’ve givven us through the Bible, and give us the strength to be faithful to Your Will. – Amen