Jesus in the Old Testament is a series of posts that will offer my readers a chance to consider pictures or shadows of Jesus in the Old Testament. As mentioned in the introduction to this series, some may be obvious, some may be not so obvious, and some may simply be a facet of the Lord those reading may not have considered previously.
I hope as we venture through this series, we will see the Lord in many wonderful pictures throughout the Old Testament.
| SEEING JESUS IN |
| ABRAHAM |
| TESTING |
| Genesis 22:2 He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” |
| Hebrews 5:8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. |
Abraham’s greatest test is recorded for us in Genesis 22, in the offering up of his son on an altar in obedience to God’s command. This is truly an amazing passage, exhibiting a faith in God that was being stretched to a breaking point.
It was Abraham’s greatest test, but not his only test, for God had been working in Abraham constantly, challenging him in multiple ways. As a matter of fact, the number of tests Abraham lived through is quite illuminating, and more numerous than I assumed.
- Abraham left Ur and Haran for an unknown destination at God’s direction
- Abraham directed a peaceful separation from Lot and settled at the oaks of Mamre.
- Abraham rescued Lot from the five kings. Abraham tithed after the battle for Lot to a mysterious king/priest Melchizedek. He also rejected any provision the king of Sodom offered.
- Abraham trusted God’s promise that he would have a son.
- Abraham received the promised land by faith, though the fulfillment would not come for many generations.
- Abraham circumcised every male in his family.
- Abraham welcomed strangers, (angels).
- Abraham prayed for Sodom
- Abraham admitted to wrongdoing (in front of the king of Egypt) and took the actions needed to set things right.
- Abraham negotiated a treaty with Abimelech concerning a well.
- Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son Isaac.
Abraham was tested through out his walk with God, and we know this is true of the many tests the Lord Jesus faced, (though many of the tests Jesus experienced came from evil men). Nevertheless this life trait of being tested speaks of the similarity between these two individuals in the Word.
Hebrews 5:8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.
Jesus was tested and passed each test, though the passing of the tests often caused loneliness, misunderstanding and finally great pain, to the point of death!
Abraham’s hopes (Isaac) was set to die in Genesis 22. Jesus life was snuffed out, through an excruciating death. Similar, but not exactly the same, for the Lord took the testing to it’s ultimate conclusion, and came out if it victorious.
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