1384-Sabbath_School_15May_Sun

Believes Unasp - Sabbath School

Mount Moriah
Read Genesis 22:1–12 and Hebrews 11:17. What was the meaning of
this test? What spiritual lessons come from this amazing event?
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Genesis 22 has become a classic in world literature and has inspired
philosophers and artists, not just theologians. The meaning of God’s test
is difficult to comprehend, however. This divine command contradicted
the later biblical prohibition against human sacrifices (Lev. 18:21), and
it surely seemed to work against God’s promise of an eternal covenant
through Isaac (Gen. 15:5).
What, then, was the purpose of God’s calling him to do this? Why
test him in such a powerful way?
The biblical notion of “test” (in Hebrew, nissah) embraces two oppo-
site ideas. It refers to the idea of judgment; that is, a judgment in order
to know what is in the heart of the tested one (Deut. 8:2; compare with
Gen. 22:12). But it also brings the assurance of God’s grace on behalf
of the tested (Exod. 20:18–20).
In this case, Abraham’s faith in God takes him to the point that he
runs the risk of losing his “future” (his posterity). And yet, because he
trusts God, he will do what God asks, no matter how difficult it all is
to understand. After all, what is faith if not trust in what we don’t see
or fully understand?
Also, biblical faith is not so much about our capacity to give to
God and to sacrifice for Him—though that has a role, no doubt (Rom.
12:1)—but about our capacity to trust Him and to receive His grace
while understanding just how undeserving we are.
This truth was reaffirmed in what followed. All the works of
Abraham, his many zealous activities, his painful journey with his son,
even his readiness to obey and offer to God the best of himself, however
instructive, could not save him. Why? Because the Lord Himself had
provided a ram for the intended sacrifice, which itself pointed to his
only hope of salvation, Jesus.
Abraham must have, then, understood grace. It is not our works for
God that save us, but it is instead God’s work for us (Eph. 3:8; compare
with Rom. 11:33), however much, like Abraham, we are called to work
for God, which Abraham’s actions powerfully reveal (James 2:2–23).
What does the story of Abraham and Isaac on Mount Moriah
say to you personally about your faith and how you manifest it?