GOD TESTS ABRAHAM

GENESIS 22:1-19

KEY VERSE 22:18

** HERE I AM (1-5)

What is the significance of God's calling Abraham by name? What does Abraham's answer suggest about his basic attitude towards God?

 

What did God ask Abraham to do? Why? What shows that God knew very well the difficulty of what he was asking Abraham to do? 

How and when did Abraham respond to God's command? What did he tell the servants when he came in sight of the place God told him about?  Why? What do these things reveal about Abraham's faith in God?

 

** GOD HIMSELF WILL PROVIDE (6-8)

As Abraham and Isaac climbed the mountain together, what did they carry? What did Isaac ask his father? How might this make Abraham's obedience more difficult? 

How did Abraham answer? What does this reveal about him? How does this answer plant faith in Isaac? 

** NOW I KNOW THAT YOU FEAR GOD (9-19)

After arriving at the place of sacrifice, what did Abraham do? What stopped him from slaying his son? What did the angel of the Lord say to him (12)? What does it mean to "fear God"?

How did God provide the sheep for the sacrifice? What did Abraham do? What did he call that place and why? What lesson of faith did Abraham and Isaac learn through this event? 

Read verses 15-18.  What does it mean that the Lord swore by himself? (cf. Heb 6:13-17; Isa 45:23) What moved him to make this firm, unchanged oath? 

How did he bless Abraham and his descendants? In what respect was this a blessing similar to and how was it different from the earlier covenant promises?

Read verse 18 again.  Why was it so important for Abraham to obey God? What can we learn from Abraham? What is the meaning to us of God's promises? (Gal 3:7-9,14) 

How did God train Abraham in faith? What do you learn in chapters 12-22 about the God of Abraham?