“The Test”

God tells Abraham to “go” (lek leka) The only other time = when moving from UR to CANAAN

Isaac is involved This is crucial b.c. God wouldn’t be able to keep his promise w.out Isaac, and God always keeps his promises

God asked Abraham to trust Him with his past so that he could give him a son (his name meaning father)

Now, God is asking him to trust him with his future

Characteristics of Abraham

His ear and heart are listening to God; his relationship w. God is one of understanding and strength

Gen 22:1- “Ready!” He exhibits perseverance

In 22:4- he saw the mountain from afar and kept going

Periods are there to make us think He exhibits faithfulness

Gen 22:5- Abraham says “WE will return to you”

Characteristics of God God is testing Abraham

In the beginning- we see that this is a TEST only God does NOT intend to kill

God is gentle Original language- words like: “Beg” are used Extremely rare for a divine being to “plead” God understands the magnitude of what He is asking

God keeps his covenants He reminds Abraham of how he has kept his promises in

the past and is still planning on keeping this one The divine promise couldn’t occur without Isaac

Characteristics of God (cont.) God plans carefully

Moriah- geographically where Crucifixion took place- where God would have to watch his son be killed (for real)

God is empathetic He understands what we go through in our

struggles and pain