In Genesis 22 the history of Abraham is at its highest stage, but in verse 1 we read, “It came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham.” After what things? The answer furnishes a great practical lesson for every one of us. There were two things that had to be corrected in Abraham (one in his heart and the other in his household) before he could be conducted to the highest point in his practical career. First, he had to have his heart freed from an old root that had long remained there — a little bit of unbelief, which had been allowed to remain unjudged for many years. It is the same for ourselves. If there is anything that is keeping us back from entire devotedness, that root must be judged before the aspiration of the true heart can be fulfilled.
Unbelief
The first time this root sprouted was when he went down into Egypt, and demanded that Sarai say that he was her brother. Surely this was unbelief. But even when he got out of Egypt and back to Bethel, that root had never been judged. For the heart to be fully judged, we need to be in the light of the divine presence, and it is far better to learn what is in my heart in His presence, than by bitter experience. We may be praying for progress, but we cannot go on to the point to which we aspire until that root is judged.
In Genesis 20 this root appears in Abraham again when he is before Abimelech, but at last he is brought to make a full, free confession, and to judge what was in his heart. In chapter 21 his household is set straight, the bondwoman is cast out, and then, house and heart being cleansed, the Lord says (in effect), “Now I can conduct you to the highest point.” It was “after these things” that God can bring him on. Before, he was not in a position to respond to the call of God; now God tries him.
The Test of Faith
What deep-toned devotedness this testing called forth in Abraham! The basis was, “Abraham believed God” — not merely something about Him, but he believed God. That is the true basis of all devotedness — God so much the One before our hearts that we may trust Him for everything. Human props give way and creature streams run dry, but faith finds in the living God an immovable Rock and an exhaustless Fountain.
Abraham stands on Mount Moriah and bears witness to the fact that he could trust God for Isaac on the altar as well as before he was born. This trial did not come a single moment before Abraham was able to bear it. “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory” (1 Pet. 1:7). God never implants faith that He does not put to the test. Does it all shine forth for the glory of Abraham? No, but for the glory of God. Who can conceive what Abraham’s heart must have gone through! What assaults must Satan have made on him! But his one answer to all the temptation was, I have God; because he believed God, he was prepared to see Isaac reduced to ashes on the altar.
James takes up this episode, and says that Abraham was justified by works. He was justified by this act, for it was the expression of a faith which rested on God without a cloud, so that God could say, “Now I know that thou fearest God, seeing that thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son, from Me” (Gen. 22:12). Here was the basis of devotedness. He could trust God when everything else had passed away; his soul had such a grasp of God that he could trust Him in the absence of all human agency.
The Spirit of Worship
In what spirit does Abraham walk to Mount Moriah? In the spirit of worship. “I and the lad will go yonder and worship.” That is always the spirit of true devotedness. Abraham does not speak of the sacrifice he is going to make; he moves on in all the calm blessedness of worship. But when we contemplate this scene, we are conducted to another scene where the Father and the Son went together to where God was to pour out on that blessed One all His wrath against sin; where He took the cup of unmitigated wrath and drained it, so that He has not left a single dreg for you and me. There was no voice from heaven to intercept that stroke when the blessed Son of God bowed His head on the cross of Calvary. Oh! what a motive for deep-toned devotedness is here!
Let us turn for a moment to Hebrews 11:17 — ‘By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son.” That is the inspired comment on this wonderful scene; he did not take account of difficulties unless to take occasion of trusting God more fully. None of us should say, I do not have the faith of Abraham. If we have faith at all, we have all the faith spoken of in Hebrews 11; it is simply a question of using it, and he more we use it the stronger it grows. What a harvest of glory came to God on Mount Moriah! There was a man who was content to be stripped of all he possessed, because he had God.
God must be all or nothing. This is very important! If He covers our eyes, we can see nothing else. Difficulties vanish; all is peace, victory and praise. He is glorified and we are blessed. There is not a single need that He cannot meet. If I am in the path of simple obedience, I can trust Him for everything. He delights to be used — to be trusted. Abraham was “strong in faith, giving glory to God.
Growth of Faith
As our faith grows, we get into all the largeness, fullness, and blessedness that is in Him. Faith is the key that unlocks the treasury of God, a path which, when truly trodden, gets brighter and brighter — shining more and more unto the perfect day. Abraham was attracted at first by the beams of the God of glory; he turned his back on his country and kindred, not knowing where he was going. What did he have? God! On he goes, therefore, step by step, stage by stage, wavering indeed here and there (for even he was open to the waverings of unbelief occasionally), but on he goes till he stands on Mount Moriah, declaring plainly that he was prepared to give up all, because his vision was filled with the Lord his God.
May it be granted to each of us to walk more and more in the power of faith in the living God — to endure “as seeing Him who is invisible.” The life of faith grows stronger and stronger, and is prepared for higher and deeper trials as we go on.
Lord, lead us on closer and closer to Thyself, that we may be independent of all but Thee. May it be so to Thy praise, and to our deep, deep joy!
C. H. Mackintosh (adapted)