Abraham's Obedience

by Gilbert Alexander

Have you considered what God said to Abraham and how Abraham responded? God told Abraham to leave his native land and to go to a land that God would show him. Abraham obeyed (Genesis 12:1-9; Hebrews 11:8). God told him to look in all directions in that land and to walk in it through its length and width, “for”, He said, “I give it to you.” Abraham believed what God told him, and he built altars to the Lord in the places where he sojourned (Genesis 13:14-18; 12:7,8). God told Abraham that his descendants would be as the stars of heaven in number. Abraham “believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness” (Genesis 15:1-3). Abraham was childless and growing old, yet he believed in the promises of the Lord. God even gave Abraham a sign to assure His promise of Abraham’s possessing the land (Genesis 15:7-21), a promise that would not be realized until the fourth generation. 

God repeated His promises and made a covenant with Abraham with this condition: “Walk before Me and be blamless” (Genesis 17:1-9). Circumcision was given as a sign of the covenant between God and Abraham, and Abraham and all his males were circumcised that very day (Genesis 17:23-27). God had confidence in Abraham’s continued obedience – the basis of the covenant. “For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice, that the Lord may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him” (Genesis 18:19). 

A great test of Abraham’s faith was given in command to take Isaac and offer him as a burnt offering (Genesis 22:1, 2). Abraham rose early in the morning and set out to do as he was commanded. He did not falter, even though all human reasoning would cry out against his taking the life of his heir. He believed that God could raise Isaac from the dead, if necessary (Hebrews 11:17-19). Now hear God’s word to Abraham: “By Myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son – blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven… In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice” (Genesis 22:16-18). 

Do you see how faith worked with his works, and by his works his faith was made complete? (James 2:21-24). 

Hence, Abraham was justified when he by faith obeyed God. What is your state before God?

 

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