As we move into chapter 22 of Genesis, we find a word that is used for the first time in the Bible which is our word for today. נִסָּ֖ה venture, put someone to the test, give experience, train, prove, conduct a test, make an attempt, try. It is used 36 times in the Old Testament. Here is how it is used in our chapter today. Genesis 22:1-2 Some time later God נִסָּ֖ה tested Abraham...God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” Now this is hard for us to understand because it goes against God’s character to ask for such a thing. But we need to remember that it was a test God did stop him from actually doing it. It would have been so easy for Abraham to love his son Isaac so much after waiting so long to have a son to begin to love him more than God himself. The test was will Abraham love God more than his own son. I think the test was also to see if he would trust in God’s goodness when what he was experiencing didn’t seem to be good. We face these same challenges in our lives to believe in the goodness of God in the heartbreak of life. Notice how Abraham seemed to be waiting for God to show up and bring something good out of this nightmare situation God had him living. Genesis 22:11-12 But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” This is the motive God gives Abraham as to why he tested him to prove that he loved God more than anyone or anything else in all of his life. God tests us Satan tempts us. The difference is the motive. God wants us to pass the test and have a stronger faith in him and a closer relationship with him. Whereas the devil wants us to fail the test and separate ourselves from God and doubt his goodness and love for us. God doesn’t tempt anyone. James 1:13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone.
God doesn’t tempt us wanting us to fail. He tests us to build our faith and relationship with him. A good example of how God tests is in Exodus 15:25-26 There the Lord issued a ruling and instruction for them and נִסָּ֖ה put them to the test. He said, “If you listen carefully to the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees...I am the Lord, who heals you.” God tests his people by giving them everything they need to succeed. He lays out the clear instructions as to what they need to do to pass the test. It gets better. 1 Corinthians 10:13 God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. So, God gives us clear instructions and provides a way of escape. But wait it gets even better. Hebrews 4:15-16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. God gives us clear instructions, provides a way of escape and gives us access to him through prayer so that we can receive mercy and grace to help us. God gives us everything we need to succeed and pass our test. Now let’s contrast this to the devil who lies and attacks our weaknesses because he wants us to fail to accomplish his ultimate purpose. John 8:44 You belong to your father, the devil...for he is a liar and the father of lies. When the devil tempted Jesus, he attacked him when he was weak and lied to him. He does the same thing to us. This verse in John shows the clear motives contrasted between what the devil wants to take from us and what God wants to give us. John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
