Genesis chapter 22 speaks about Abraham’s temptation by God to sacrifice his son, Isaac, at an altar in Moriah. Abraham followed God’s instructions, built an altar and lay Isaac down on the altar. Just as he was about to use his knife, an angel of God called him from the heavens and told him not to slay his son, for he had proven his fear of God by not withholding Isaac from Him (Gen 22:11-12, NKJV). Abraham had passed this test of faith.
Christology is associated with the study of the person and deeds of Jesus. In understanding Christology, the character of Jesus as a man of great faith is encountered. In the New Testament, Jesus’ faith was tested when starting his mission as the Son of God by being taken to the wilderness by the devil and being offered earthly wealth in exchange for allegiance(Matthew 4:1-11, NKJV). Jesus did not give in to the enticements of Satan, and passed his test of faith.
10Then Jesus said to him,”Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ’You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve’. 11Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him (Gen 22:10-11, NKJV)
Jesus’ work on earth was based purely on faith. Strong faith in God is imperative in understanding how God works, and trusting Him is a sure way of displaying this strong faith. In Genesis 22 verse 8, the faith that Abraham had that God would provide an offering for sacrifice was honored. This shows that God indeed provides (Gen 22:13, NKJV).
When faith is tested and that test is passed, God rewards that subject. Abraham was promised that he would become a great, mighty nation because of the faith he had displayed (Gen 18:18-19, NKJV). Blessings come as a result of obedience, which stems from faith. In the New Testament, it is depicted that salvation is by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-10, NKJV).
8For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God 9not the result of works, so that no one may boast. (Eph. 2:8-9, NRSV)
It therefore becomes important to note that God brings about temptations to prove how faithful his people are to Him, aside from strengthening that faith to prepare them for tasks he has set aside for them. God’s work starts with a promise. This has to be accepted wholly by faith, which if genuine is shown by good deeds.
Work Cited
Davis, E. F. (2001). Getting Involved With God: Rediscovering the Old Testament (p.50-64). Cambridge, Mass.: Cowley Publications.
Travis, S. H. (2004). The Bible in Time: An Exploration of 130 Passages Providing An Overview of the Bible as a Whole (pp 26-28). Toronto: Clements Publications.
