Mount MoriahRead Genesis 22:1–12 and Hebrews 11:17. What was the meaning ofthis test? What spiritual lessons come from this amazing event?__________________________________________________________________________________________________________Genesis 22 has become a classic in world literature and has inspiredphilosophers and artists, not just theologians. The meaning of God’s testis difficult to comprehend, however. This divine command contradictedthe later biblical prohibition against human sacrifices (Lev. 18:21), andit surely seemed to work against God’s promise of an eternal covenantthrough Isaac (Gen. 15:5).What, then, was the purpose of God’s calling him to do this? Whytest him in such a powerful way?The biblical notion of “test” (in Hebrew, nissah) embraces two oppo-site ideas. It refers to the idea of judgment; that is, a judgment in orderto know what is in the heart of the tested one (Deut. 8:2; compare withGen. 22:12). But it also brings the assurance of God’s grace on behalfof the tested (Exod. 20:18–20).In this case, Abraham’s faith in God takes him to the point that heruns the risk of losing his “future” (his posterity). And yet, because hetrusts God, he will do what God asks, no matter how difficult it all isto understand. After all, what is faith if not trust in what we don’t seeor fully understand?Also, biblical faith is not so much about our capacity to give toGod and to sacrifice for Him—though that has a role, no doubt (Rom.12:1)—but about our capacity to trust Him and to receive His gracewhile understanding just how undeserving we are.This truth was reaffirmed in what followed. All the works ofAbraham, his many zealous activities, his painful journey with his son,even his readiness to obey and offer to God the best of himself, howeverinstructive, could not save him. Why? Because the Lord Himself hadprovided a ram for the intended sacrifice, which itself pointed to hisonly hope of salvation, Jesus.Abraham must have, then, understood grace. It is not our works forGod that save us, but it is instead God’s work for us (Eph. 3:8; comparewith Rom. 11:33), however much, like Abraham, we are called to workfor God, which Abraham’s actions powerfully reveal (James 2:2–23).What does the story of Abraham and Isaac on Mount Moriahsay to you personally about your faith and how you manifest it?