Mea e 'ai e tatau ma le aso
Later on, God tested Abraham’s [faith and obedience]. “Abraham!” God called. “Yes, Lord?” he replied. “Take with you your only son—yes, Isaac whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah and sacrifice him there as a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I’ll point out to you!”
(Genesis 22:1-2)
Tests are intended to make us, not break us. God tested Abraham, not to trip him up and watch him fall, but to strengthen his capacity to obey God and thus to develop and build up his character.
Just as fire refines ore to extract precious metals, God refines us through difficult circumstances in life. When we are tested, we can moan and complain, or we can try to see how God is stretching us to develop our character.
Testing brings our real priorities out into the open. Why did God ask Abraham to perform human sacrifice? Pagan nations practiced human sacrifice, but God condemned this as a terrible sin (Leviticus 20:1-5).
God did not want Isaac to die, but he wanted Abraham to “sacrifice” Isaac in his obedient heart so it would be clear that Abraham loved God more than he loved his promised and long-awaited son.
God was testing Abraham. The purpose of this testing is to strengthen our character and deepen our commitment to God and his perfect timing. Though this was a difficult experience, Abraham strengthened his commitment to obey God. And through his faithfulness, he also learned about God’s ability to provide.
Ia manuia,
failauga p. anoa'i
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