Bible Commentaries

In this chapter we have the account of the seventh appearing of Jehovah to Abraham and it is that of his supreme testing and consequent bringing into fellowship with God. It must have been in many ways a desolating trial, without apparent reason, coming suddenly and without explanation. Nevertheless, it is the story of the triumph of faith. Abraham passed through the fiercest fire and endured the greatest pressure as his faith was put to the most tremendous strain.

The statement that "God did prove Abraham" is in itself suggestive. He confers honor where He proves. He did not prove Lot. Sodom did that. God proves the man who is proof against Sodom. The outstanding revelation of Abraham is that of one who walking by faith and not by sight rendered active, ready, and quick obedience. The man who really believes in God is always able cheerfully to obey Him, because present sacrifice is set in the light of the necessity for the fulfillment of God's declared purpose. Abraham rested in God rather than in any blessing He bestowed, even though that were Isaac. Faith depending on the divine promises saw beyond the sacrifice and was able to obey.

It may be that the story can never be interpreted in the realm of the natural, and the only thing we can say about it is that through the experience Abraham was brought into fellowship with the God who so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.

The testing was followed by the repetition to Abraham of all the great and gracious promises already made to him.