All Because of Abraham

“I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, ¹⁷ I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies,¹⁸ and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”  Genesis 22:16-18

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I remember hearing a preacher once say we had no idea why God chose Israel. He just did. But I think this Scripture shows us exactly why Israel was chosen.

Abraham’s faith had been tested. Did he really believe in God and fear Him for nothing? The test — give up your most priceless possession. He had to give up his long, awaited son, a miracle child that was the fulfillment of God’s promise to him.

Abraham obeys, we are told, believing that God would be able to raise Isaac from the dead in order to fulfill His promise to give him multitudes of descendants (Heb. 11:19).

Abraham proved his faith by obeying God’s command. And because he obeyed, he received the amazing promise that everyone in the whole world would be blessed. And from Abraham we received the nation of Israel and out of Israel we received Jesus, who made a way for us Gentiles to be grafted into Israel.

Let me restate this one point: Abraham obeyed, proving his faith, and the world was blessed.

Just how important is obedience? When we don’t obey we are proving our lack of faith. And if we are saved by faith, lack of faith is a serious thing.

If we believed the Scriptures, then we would obey them, right? Can I say I believe a verse like this:

“Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.”  (John 14:21)

…but then justify sin in my life by saying, God loves me no matter what?

Our lack of obedience proves our lack of faith. God’s not fooled by your words. Prove your faith by your actions, by your obedience.

And what if we did? What if we walked in obedience, just like Abraham? Could it be the world would be blessed? Is it not true that through us Christ can come into the world and bless the nations?

All because of Abraham’s faith, proven by his obedience, the world was blessed. What’s the world missing out on when you fail to obey God’s commands?