Genesis 22:1
And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.
Genesis 22:1
“After these things, that God did tempt Abraham” introduces the famous test of Abraham’s faith. The term tempten in some English translations can be misleading; the Hebrew word often conveys testing or proving, not enticement to sin. The crisis is precipitated by a command that appears to run counter to God’s promises—that Abraham sacrifice his beloved son Isaac. The biblical narrator uses the phrase “God did tempt” to indicate a necessary proving of Abraham’s fidelity. It marks a turning point in the test of trust: a demonstration that Abraham’s faith is rooted in obedience to God, even when the path is incomprehensible.
This moment probes the integrity of faith. The test reveals whether Abraham’s trust in God’s promises can withstand God’s seemingly contradictory instruction. It foreshadows God’s own provision in Christ, where God dooms not withholds his own Son, and invites believers to respond with radical obedience that remains anchored in hope. It also highlights a crucial theme: genuine worship of God is inseparable from obedience, even when it costs.
Think of a time you faced a hard call where the right thing to do was costly or confusing. How did you respond? This passage invites honest reflection: when God asks you to sacrifice comfort, reputation, or something you deeply value, do you trust that God’s higher purpose is at work? Practice obedience in small ways today: choosing honesty when it’s inconvenient, choosing forgiveness, or choosing generosity when it costs. Such steps build a character that can endure larger trials.
Cross-References: Exodus 3:14; James 1:2-4; Romans 8:32