¹⁹ He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type.

Abraham’s relationship with God was based on a genuine faith and it was tested. This incidence of offering up Isaac occurred in Genesis 22, after Abraham was declared righteous in Genesis 15. At that time, God had simply made the promise to the patriarch of innumerable physical descendants while showing him the stars of the night sky. The Scripture is clear: “Then he believed in the Lord; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness” (Gen 15:6). The offering of Isaac was a test of that faith, but it did not bring salvation.

In New Testament terminology, we would say the incident of Genesis 15 was the point of eternal salvation for Abraham, not the offering up of Isaac. The apostle Paul, in referring to this, expounds, “For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God” (Rom 4:2). The concept of justification by faith is a universal truth throughout the Scriptures, and not just in the New Testament. Paul continues, “But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness …” (Rom 4:5). In fact, Abraham believed and was declared righteous long before the law came into being. Paul succinctly puts it this way, “What I am saying is this: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise” (Gal 3:17).

The New Testament makes this point repeatedly. “For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all…” (Rom 4:16). “Therefore it was also credited to him as righteousness. Now not for his sake only was it written that it was credited to him, but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead…” (Rom 4:22–25).

Genuine faith, though, is always tested to demonstrate its genuineness. So Abraham’s was tested by the command to offer up Isaac. This would prove the genuineness and the preciousness of his faith. As Peter says, “… so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7).

Lord, thank You so much for Your gracious testing of my faith to prove its genuineness and preciousness.