Text: Hebrews 11:13-19
Introduction
Typically, when we hear the word "test," our minds fill with anxiety. Our culture normally does not associate the word test with something positive. Perhaps it is because of all those "pop quizzes" we had in school. However, the word itself is neutral. A test is intended to demonstrate knowledge, quality, performance, or reliability.
We are met with a challenging text as we consider what biblical faith is and what biblical faith looks like from Hebrews 11. God tested Abraham, having him offer his only son (Isaac) as a sacrifice (11:17). What do we do with this? How are we to understand this? What can this teach us about faith? Let's explore God's word together.
A Better Homeland
Before we jump into the account of Abraham, let's notice the transition or summary provided by the author of Hebrews:
Hebrews 11:13–15 (NIV)
"All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return."
Referring to those previously mentioned, the author reminds us that these people died in hopeful expectation of God's promises. Abel, Noah, Abraham, and Sarah all lived their lives based on the promises of God.
They lived as foreigners and strangers on the earth as they looked forward to a homeland prepared for them by God. This hopeful expectation directed their steps forward. Trusting God's promise meant they did not return to where they had left. Their accounts challenge readers to look forward with hopeful expectations and not to turn back. In doing so, like the patriarchs, we will be people whom God delights.
However, as we continue, the author of Hebrews presses us to understand further what faith is and what faith looks like.
Testing
Hebrews 11:17–19 (NIV)
"By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death."
Reading this is difficult. Our minds are filled with all types of questions, which may draw different reactions and emotions. How could God ask such a thing of Abraham? Abraham considered that God could raise Isaac from the dead. But even this does not settle all the questions we may have. It is a difficult passage.
Abraham takes his son up on the mountain as God instructed him. However, as Abraham placed his son on the altar, an angel of the Lord called out to Abraham from heaven. A ram is given as a substitute for Isaac (Gen. 22:1-19). His life is spared as the ram takes his place.
God tested Abraham. Though we may have our ideas, even anxieties, about testing, this is an important theme to consider throughout the Scriptures. Testing through the Scriptures is a way of demonstrating trust and loyalty, not as a way of trapping people. Let's briefly explore the theme of testing.
The Garden
Beginning the testing theme, we need to jump back to Genesis and the Garden. In (Genesis 2:9) we read that God placed two trees in the Garden: the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. These trees represented an opportunity to trust God's wisdom or rely on human wisdom. One tree would result in life and proximity to God; the other would result in death.
Genesis 2:15–17 (NIV)
"The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the Lord God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die."
The serpent enters the Garden and pushes the test forward.
Genesis 3:1–6 (NIV)
"Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?" The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.' “ "You will not certainly die," the serpent said to the woman. "For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it."
Both the man and the woman fail the test. They rely on their wisdom instead of trusting in the wisdom and word of God.
Abraham
Abraham is led through a series of tests. At times, he proves himself faithful to the wisdom and word of the Lord. In (Genesis 12:1-4), Abraham is called to leave his homeland and go to a land the Lord would show him. Here, Abraham follows the Lord's word, leaving his homeland. He demonstrated his trust in the word of God by leaving to follow.
However, famine strikes the land, and in the next scene, Abraham decides to travel to Egypt.
Genesis 12:11–18 (NIV)
"As he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, "I know what a beautiful woman you are. When the Egyptians see you, they will say, 'This is his wife.' Then they will kill me but will let you live. Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you.” When Abram came to Egypt, the Egyptians saw that Sarai was a very beautiful woman. And when Pharaoh's officials saw her, they praised her to Pharaoh, and she was taken into his palace. He treated Abram well for her sake, and Abram acquired sheep and cattle, male and female donkeys, male and female servants, and camels. But the Lord inflicted serious diseases on Pharaoh and his household because of Abram's wife Sarai. So Pharaoh summoned Abram. "What have you done to me?" he said. "Why didn't you tell me she was your wife?"
In this scene, Abraham chose to follow his wisdom out of concern for his life. The result is diseases and sickness on Pharaoh and his household.
The Lord does provide an ultimate test to Abraham, as we read in Hebrews 11. Abraham passes this test as he relies on the promise of God's word.
The Wilderness
As God leads Israel out of Egypt, He leads them to the wilderness and a place of testing.
Exodus 15:22–27 (NIV)
"Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water. When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah.) So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, "What are we to drink?” Then Moses cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became fit to drink. There the Lord issued a ruling and instruction for them and put them to the test. He said, "If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you." Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water."
Israel has just witnessed the power of God through the plagues and the parting of the Red Sea. Traveling into the desert, Israel, instead of crying out to God, begins to grumble because of the lack of water: what are we to drink? The test is to listen carefully to the Lord and keep his decrees. In doing so, God will supply water and life.
As we continue reading the story (Exodus 16:2), Israel grumbles and complains again. "If only we had died by the Lord's hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death" (Exodus 16:3b).
Following the biblical theme of testing, humans fail to remain faithful to God's word. Time and time again, people fail to trust the wisdom of God.
Jesus
However, as we push forward in the biblical story, one person stands apart from other people. Jesus passes the test. He is faithful to the word of God and places His trust in the promises of God's word. Jesus passes the test where others have failed.
Matthew 4:1–11 (NIV)
"Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written:" 'He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'" Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me." Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'" Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him."
The testing scene of Jesus in the desert overlays the failure of Israel in the desert. Where Israel had complained and doubted in the desert, Jesus came through the wilderness trusting God. Where people have failed, Jesus passes the test. However, this would not be the only test for Jesus found in the pages of the Gospels. Jesus was also tested in the Garden. This time in the Garden, Jesus passes the test for all humanity.
Matthew 26:39 (NIV)
"Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
Crossing The Context
Jesus fully and completely satisfies the test. Where we fail, he has overcome. Where we doubt and rely on our wisdom, Jesus trusted and followed the wisdom of God. This test led Jesus to another tree, that of the cross. The tree that has been lifted up, the tree that our Savior suffered on, has become a tree of life to all who would faithfully follow him.
Noticing the faith of Abraham in (Hebrews 11:17-19), what can we learn and apply to our lives today? What is his account teaching us about biblical faith?
Faith chooses the wisdom of God
Let us choose to follow God's wisdom in our lives. Doing so is a demonstration of our trust and confidence in Him.
Notes:
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are from: ”Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Support:
SimplyRevised seeks to encourage, equip, grow, and strengthen our faith in the Lord by creating biblical content relevant to our lives today. You can help us in this effort. To learn more about supporting this project, click the button below.
Resources:
BibleProject: The Test
"Does God test people? Trace the repeated theme of testing in the Bible and see how God determines the loyalty and trust of his covenant partners." -BibleProject