1/16 Genesis 22* - Trust and Obey

On the surface, the account of God calling Abraham to offer Isaac is one of the most difficult passages in the Bible. We can't imagine God actually calling any of His people to do such a thing. But we'll see in today's episode, that when we understand the context of this passage, and what Abraham knew to be true, we'll see that it was an amazing step of faith that actually shows us the kind of faith that God calls us all to. Please join us in this important study in God's Word!  

DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS:

Genesis 22 1.    Using a Bible atlas or online atlas, locate Beersheba on the map to the right. Also, locate the Wilderness of Moriah on the map. What importance does each of these locations have in Genesis 22?
2.    This chapter contains God’s command to Abraham to offer his son Isaac as a burnt offering. While we know how the story ends, this would be an unsettling command for anyone to hear. How does the miraculous origin of Isaac’s conception help us understand why Abraham was so calm in his obedience to the Lord? How do the words “we” and “return” in verse 5 give us a window into Abraham’s mindset as he obeyed the Lord? 
3.    In verse 8, Abraham assures Isaac that the Lord will provide a sacrifice. How has Abraham seen the provision of the Lord in his life before this? How have you seen the Lord provide in your life? How might dwelling upon God’s prior provision give us strength in times of present distress?
4.    Think about Isaac’s age in this passage. Do you think a 120-year-old man could have physically put Isaac on the altar? What would have had to happen in order for Isaac to get on it? How does this likelihood help us understand Isaac’s role in this event?
5.    Isaac was Abraham’s only link to something and someone. What and Who was Isaac the link to? What kind of faith did Abraham demonstrate by being willing to break this link, if that was to be the Lord’s will?
6.    This passage also gives us a picture of the substitutionary death of Christ. How? What did God’s substitute mean for Isaac? What does Christ’s substitute mean for us?
7.    Verses 16 to 18 contain one of the most important promises in the Old Testament regarding who the offspring of Abraham are. Who are the “four seeds” suggested in the lesson? Which ones will be in God’s Eternal Kingdom? Why? Are you among the believing seed spoken of in these verses?
8.    Genesis 22 shows the kind of faith that this new nation would be founded upon. How would you summarize Abraham’s faith and obedience from this event? Where does this kind of faith come from?
9.    Are there any situations in your life where you simply need to trust and obey God as Abraham did here? Are you able to trust and obey Him? Why or why not? 
10.    Have you ever sung the children’s song, “Father Abraham”? It says that he had many sons. In light of what the lesson has taught about this passage, who are those sons? When the song says, “I am one of them, and so are you,” what does that mean? Is that true of you? Why or why not?

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