Genesis 22:1 states that “God tempted Abraham”. According to the Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, “Generally the word [tempted] means prove, test, put to the test, rather than the current English idea of “entice to do wrong.” God did not tempt Abraham to sin but tested his character with a trial.
Cyclones are trials that seem destructive and bad at the time, but they actually are very beneficial. Rainfall is the most important benefit of cyclones. They cause rain to fall in areas that are otherwise dry. They help maintain the global heat balance by moving warm tropical air away from the equator, towards the poles. They flush out streams, help sea life as well as other lesser benefits.
Like Cyclones, Abraham’s trial and trials that we face in life produce many benefits that we often do not think about.
Transition
This morning I want to point out several of the benefits Abraham received from his trial that we too can receive through trials.
The Trial Caused Him to Check His Priorities
Three times in Genesis 22, God calls Isaac, Abraham’s only son (v.2, 12, 16). Though Ishmael was also his son, Isaac was the promised, beloved, cherished son of Abraham’s old age. Though he dearly loved his son, this trial proved that he loved God more.
From the shore of Galilee, Jesus caused Peter to catch a net full of fish. A few minutes later as they ate around a fire, Jesus asked Peter a probing question.
John 21:15 “So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? …”
I believe Jesus spoke of the fish. Peter was a fisherman. He loved fishing, but that was not to be his first priority.
God may send trials in our lives to keep our priorities right. He may take away things that we cherish more than we cherish God. When He does, it is not to be mean but to motivate us to get our priorities right.
The Trial Challenged Him to Obey When it was Difficult
Without question, Abraham’s trial challenged his obedience. Being willing to offer his son as a sacrifice was not easy. Notice his obedience (v.3). He did not put it off. He did not make excuses. He rose up early in the morning and obeyed.
Did God really intend for Abraham to kill his son? By the fact that God stopped him, I do not think he did, but it certainly challenged his obedience.
Constable: The Canaanites practiced human sacrifice in the worship of their gods. Consequently the Lord was not asking Abraham to make any greater sacrifices to Him, the true God, than his pagan neighbors were willing to make to their false gods.
Sometimes God puts us through trials to see if we will obey. It is times like that when we must ask God to strengthen our determination to obey.
The Trial Sharpened His Testimony
Abraham took two young men with him (v.3). Isaac his son was with him. They would soon see the outcome of Abraham’s trial. When they returned, his whole camp would hear. God recorded it in the Bible for all of us to hear. Abraham’s testimony was sharpened when others saw him obey God.
Whether we like it or not, others around us see our reaction to trials. They know whether we are honouring God in our trials or not. Jesus said:
Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
1 Corinthians 10:31 “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
The Trial Drew Him Closer to God
I believe he had been pondering the situation as they journeyed. Note his comment in v.5. He was going to worship God. He said that he and Isaac would come back.
Hebrews 11:17-19 “By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.”
Back in Genesis 22:7-8, Abraham assured Isaac that God would provide himself a lamb. It appears that during this time of trial Abraham spent a lot of time talking to God.
During trials, we too must draw near the Lord and cast our burdens on Him.
Psalm 55:22 “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”
Every trial is either a stepping stone or a stumbling block.
The Trial Proved His Fear of God
God tells us this in verse 12. Fear of God is primarily respect, honour, and submission motivated by awe and terror.
Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”
Job is another Bible character who endured great trials. We can see by Job’s comments that he feared God during his terrible trials.
Job 13:15 “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.”
Trials and testing reveal whether we fear God or not. They reveal whether we have that right heart attitude toward God.
Trials of life will either make us better or bitter.
If our trials make us bitter, we do not fear God as we should.
6. The Trial Increased His Faith in God
We just read in the book of Hebrews that Abraham acted in faith.
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,”
In the midst of this trial, God stopped Abraham from killing Isaac and provided a ram for the sacrifice (v.12-13). The joy of seeing God lift this huge burden, must have greatly increased his faith.
If we will fear God during our trials, looking back on the trial will increase our faith as well. Seeing Abraham’s faith during this difficult trial will increase our faith.
Romans 15:4 “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”
The Trial Motivated Him to Worship God
After the trial was over, Abraham named the place Jehovah-jireh which means Jehovah sees (v.14). God saw his heart, delivered him from this emotional trial, and met his need. This motivated him to worship the Lord.
Seeing God answer prayer and bring us through a difficult trial ought to cause our hearts to rejoice to think that God sees our needs and gives us grace.
Psalm 29:2 “Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.”
The Trial Enabled God’s Blessing
Because Abraham feared God and obeyed, he passed the test and God was able to bless him abundantly (v.16-18). God wants our trials to make us better.
Sometimes the benefits are not what we would choose, but they are actually what we need. That was true in the Apostle Paul’s life when God refused to remove a trial that Paul called a “thorn in his flesh”.
2 Corinthians 12:9 “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
Conclusion
Trials are never enjoyable, but they are beneficial if we look at them from God’s perspective. If your trials have made you bitter, ask God to change your heart. Ask Him to help you see the benefits of your trial. Ask God for an attitude more like that of the Apostle Paul.
If you have never obeyed the Gospel and received Christ, your greatest trial is yet to come on judgment day. That trial will have no benefits. Make sure you have received Christ’s salvation today.
Song: Burdens Are Lifted – 218
Benefits of Trials
14 September 2014 AM – Genesis 22:1-24 – Gen 14 – Scott Childs