Here are 7 lessons on what Genesis 22 teaches us:
- Lesson 1: God tests the righteous.
- Lesson 2: God’s tests always involve what we love most.
- Lesson 3: God’s tests are a personal matter.
- Lesson 4: We should speak with faith even when we don’t understand God’s intentions.
- Lesson 5: God will always show up miraculously in the midst of our trying moments.
- Lesson 6: We get blessed after passing the test of faith.
- Lesson 7: After passing the test of faith, other people also benefit from our triumph.
Let us discuss the lessons pointed out above in detail.
Lesson 1: Genesis 22 teaches us that God tests the righteous.
We read this in Genesis 22:1-2, which says:
“Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham and said to him, ‘Abraham!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’
This implies that in your journey of faith, you will be tested time and again so that you may develop the perseverance and character required of the saints of God. This is recorded in James 1:2–3, which says:
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking in anything.” (NIV)
So the reason for our testing is to enable us to become mature and complete before the eyes of God.
Here are examples of individuals who were tested in the Bible.
Jesus Christ was tested, as recorded in Matthew 4:1, as follows:
“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” (WEB)
Joseph was tested, as recorded in Psalm 105:17–19, which says:
“He sent a man before them—Joseph—who was sold as a slave. They hurt his feet with fetters; he was laid in irons. Until the time that his word came to pass, the word of the LORD tested him.”
Job was tested by God, as recorded in Job 23:10. The scripture says:
“But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.”
In Daniel 3:16-21, 26–27, the faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego was tested when they were asked to worship the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had made. When they refused, they were thrown into the fiery furnace, but God delivered them. Here is what the scripture says:
“Shadrack, Meshack, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God, whom we serve, is able to deliver us from the burning, fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image that you have set up.’
Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. He spoke and commanded that they heat the furnace seven times more than it is usually heated. And he commanded certain mighty men of valor who were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshack, and Abed-Nego and cast them into the burning, fiery furnace. Then these men were bound in their courts, their trousers, their turbans, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning, fiery furnace.”
“Then Nebuchadnezzar went near the mouth of the burning fiery furnace and spoke, saying, ‘Shadrach, Meshack, and Abed-Nego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here.’ Then Shadrack, Meshack, and Abed-Nego came from the midst of the fire.
And the satraps, administrators, governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together, and they saw these men on whose bodies the fire had no power; the hair of their heads was not singed nor were their garments affected, and the smell of fire was not on them.”
Lesson 2: Genesis 22 teaches us that God’s tests always involve what we love most.
We see this in Genesis 22:2, when God asks Abraham to sacrifice his only son, ‘whom he loves!’ Here is precisely what the scripture says:
“Then He said, ‘Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.’”
God tests us in order to establish whether the thing or person we hold dear can take His place in our hearts. This includes a career, a spouse, a child, or even a friend; whatever it is, God will never allow it to take His place in our lives. This is because when we esteem these things or people more than God, they become idols, and God hates idolatry.
God will never share His glory with that thing or person in our lives, as stated in Isaiah 42:8, which says:
“I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols.” (NIV)
Lesson 3: Genesis 22 teaches us that God’s tests are a personal matter
When God tests you, the matter is always between God and you. No third party is to be involved. We see this in Genesis 22:5, where Abraham instructs the young men who had accompanied him to the place of sacrifice to stay behind while he and Isaac journeyed on. This is what the scripture says:
“And Abraham said to his young men,’ Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you.’”
Lesson 4: Genesis 22 teaches us that we should speak with faith even when we don’t understand God’s intentions.
This is exemplified by Abraham’s response to his son, who later asked about the lamb needed for the sacrifice. This is recorded in Genesis 22:7-8 as follows:
“But Isaac spoke to Abraham, his father, and said, ‘My father!’ And he said, ‘Here I am, my son.’ Then he said, ‘Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?
And Abraham said, ‘My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.’ So the two of them went together.’”
Lesson 5: Genesis 22 teaches us that God will always show up miraculously in the midst of our trying moments.
We see this when God provided a lamb for the sacrifice, as Abraham had ‘said.’ This is recorded in Genesis 22:9–12 as follows:
“Then they came to the place of which God had told him. And Abraham built an altar there and placed the wood in order; and he bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, upon the wood. And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.
But the Angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, ‘Abraham, Abraham!’
So he said, ‘Here I am.’
And 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.’
Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son. And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, ‘In the Mount of the LORD it shall be provided.’”
Lesson 6: Genesis 22 teaches us that we get blessed after passing the test of faith
After passing the test of obedience, Abraham was immensely blessed by God. This is recorded in Genesis 22:15–19 as follows:
“Then the Angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time out of heaven and said, ‘By Myself I have sworn, says the LORD, because you have done this thing and have not withheld your son, your only son—blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your seed, all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.’”
Lesson 7: Genesis 22 teaches us that when we pass the test of faith, other people also benefit from our triumph.
When we pass the test of faith that comes our way, God not only blesses us but also those close to us and beyond.
We see this in Genesis 22:15–19, where not only is Abraham blessed after passing the test of faith but also his descendants and all the nations of the earth.
I hope this is helpful.
Thank you, and God bless. Shalom.
Related Post: Bible teachings on faith | 23 lessons-for-us
Dear friend,
Life without Jesus Christ is difficult, if not impossible. That is why it is important to receive Him as your personal savior so that He can help you navigate through life’s challenges successfully.
If you are willing to receive Jesus Christ as your savior, that is, to be born again, kindly say the following prayer from the bottom of your heart:
Prayer to become a born-again Christian
“Lord Jesus, I confess that I am a sinner and hereby ask for your forgiveness.
I believe in my heart and confess with my mouth that you are the only begotten Son of the living God.
I believe that you were sent by your Father to the earth to save sinners like me.
I now accept you as my personal Lord and Savior.
Come into my heart and baptize me with the Holy Spirit.
Thank you for saving me.
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
Amen!”
Congratulations friend! You are now a born-again Christian!
Welcome to the family of God!
Benediction
“The LORD bless you and keep you;
The Lord, make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.”
(Numbers 6:24-26)
Source: https://www.biblegateway.com/
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My name is Nicodemus. I'm a Kenyan by birth. I got saved about 30 years ago while in high school. I love studying scriptures in order to enhance my comprehension of God and His plan for mankind. I have a BSc in botany, zoology, and chemistry from the University of Nairobi and an MBA in strategic management from Egerton University. I’m married to a lovely lady called Leah. God has gifted us with three sons: Wayne, Salem, and Michael.
