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Why God Asked Abraham to Sacrifice His Son?

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He said, “Take 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.”

Genesis 22:2

What was God’s reason for telling Abraham to offer his only son as a burnt offering? We know from scripture that God sent an angel to stop the sacrifice in the last minute. Was this nothing more than a test of Abraham’s obedience to God? God has a reason for every command he gives to us. It is always based on His love for us and with the purpose of molding us to be Christ-like. Do you think there was any reason other than testing Abraham’s obedience?

Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 9:23-24) The Lord desires that we know Him. We are created in the image of God and filled with the Spirit of God so that we might draw closer to Him. He desires that we know him, that we understand his ways. He wants us to be filled with his love and to be one with Him. God wants a close, intimate relationship with us. How can we have a relationship with Him unless we know him?

We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. (1 John 2:3) The Lord will guide us through the Holy Spirit on a path to know and understand him because to know God is to trust him. Abraham obeyed God, so how did his obedience help him to trust God?

Abraham obeyed God even though what God commanded of him was difficult beyond our imagination. But God stopped the sacrifice and I am sure Abraham was extremely thankful. Abraham had proven his love for God, and would then become the father of many nations. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6) I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. (Genesis 12:2)

When we show our love for God through obedience we are always blessed. When we overcome fear and doubt, and step out in faith, it pleases God. It reveals to Him that we know Him and love Him. It’s only through obedient faith that we know God and are filled with love for Him.

What does God want us to sacrifice? We sacrifice our will, and trust the Lord, by following the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will guide us to understand and trust God. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. (Galatians 5:25) If we truly follow the Spirit, the Lord will change our hearts and we will have the faith that pleases Him.

Today, know that God is molding you to the mind and heart of Jesus. God wants you to experience His thoughts and His heart as you minister to lost souls. Today, depend on the Lord in order that you might minister to others. Allow yourself to be guided by the Spirit who knows the hearts of those to whom you minister. This develops a dependence on the Lord. If we don’t depend on the Lord we are depending on ourselves.

Let’s pray: Lord, help me to trust You just as Abraham trusted you. Change my heart to seek your will and your love. Continue to change my mind and my heart to that of Jesus as I depend on you to minister to this lost world.   Lord, kill any pride or self-sufficient attitude that I reveal, that I might be humble and secure. Help me to depend on your divine wisdom, love, and power. In Jesus name, Amen.