We can see that Abraham was trusting the promises and the explanation in God’s test. Genesis 22: 2 “Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.” [1] This was a simple command with no explanation provided as to why.
God had given Abraham the threefold promises of generations, land, and to be a blessing to be a blessing multiple times since calling him out of Ur. Abraham had experienced the birth of a miracle baby at the age of 100, and now God was calling him to sacrifice Isaac. It made no sense. Abraham and Sarah were now far over the age of 100. Would God give them another son to fulfill the covenant? Besides, only pagans sacrificed humans, not the followers of the one true God.
Why, God?
Often, in our human nature, the first thing we ask in a trial is “Why God?” We want God to explain everything, but we must also remember that even if He explained it, we may still not understand. God always has His reasons.
The Lord may send trials to purify our faith. 1 Peter 1: 7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.[2]
God can even send a trial to us to prevent us from sinning as He did to Paul. 2 Corinthians 12: So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.[3]
It is easy to speak words of faith but much more challenging to act on them. Are we willing to trust that God is loving and has our best interest in mind when the situation doesn’t make sense?
God’s Will Doesn’t Contradict His Promises
By this time in His life, Abraham had journeyed with the Lord for almost fifty years. He knew God’s character through experience. God had blessed him with wealth and family. Abraham had not always been faithful, but God was. He knew God’s will would not contradict the promises he had received. So, Abraham simply did as God instructed and left the future in God’s hands. That is what you call faith.
How could Abraham possibly reconcile Isaac as the future of the covenant and the request to sacrifice him? Hebrews 11: 17 It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God’s promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, 18 even though God had told him, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.” 19 Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back to life again. And in a sense, Abraham did receive his son back from the dead. [4]
Abraham is our model for trusting the promises and not the explanation. God may not choose to reveal the reason for our trials, but we can still trust His promises. The Lord promises to be with us always. Jesus loved us so much that He gave His life for us. God promises to forgive us when we repent, which establishes a relationship with Him that lasts forever.
To find out more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/trusting-god-beyond-understanding
[1-4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.