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Advent Lessons

Lesson 13 · September 24, 1898

The Great Test

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  1. 1.After what things did the Lord especially test Abraham? How well did Abraham know the voice of the Lord? . Note 1.
  2. 2.What startling command did that voice give? What was still left untold? .
  3. 3.How long did Abraham wait before obeying? Who went with him? What did they take with them? .
  4. 4.What did Abraham see on the third day? .
  5. 5.What remarkably truthful statement did Abraham make to the young men? .
  6. 6.Upon whom did he place the wood? What other well-"beloved Son" carried the wood? Who carried the fire and the knife? . What do these symbols mean as types?
  7. 7.What endearing words now fell from the lips of Isaac? And where was his father? What did Isaac then vividly behold? What did he not yet see? . Compare with Christ in the garden.
  8. 8.What prophetic reply did Abraham make? Still how did they go on? . Did the heavenly Father and His only-begotten Son ever part in Spirit?
  9. 9.When they came to the place that the Lord had indicated, what four things did Abraham do? .
  10. 10.What did Abraham then stretch forth his hand to do? .
  11. 11.What voice did he hear addressing him? What did Abraham say? .
  12. 12.What command did the Angel give him? What did the Angel of the covenant say he knew? . Did Abraham now know the voice? Was Isaac the promised seed?
  13. 13.What substitute was here presented? .
  14. 14.What did Abraham call this place? What saying was common when Moses wrote? . Note 2.
  15. 15.Who called Abraham the second time? From what place? .
  16. 16.By whom did he make his oath? . Why? .
  17. 17.What promise is renewed in this oath? . In what sense would Abraham's seed possess the "gate of his enemies"?
  18. 18.Why was God now able to "give" his covenant? . Note 3.
  19. 19.To whom did Abraham and Isaac now go? and where did they all go together to dwell? .

Notes

Readings.

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1. Abraham had become so accustomed to the voice of God that he could not mistake it, but stepped out by faith upon that which could not have been other than mysterious darkness, and yet found his foot planted upon the Solid Rock, the Sure Foundation, the Fountain of Faith, in the arm of Him who said, "I am the Almighty God."

2. Mount Sinai is Hagar, which gendereth unto bondage; but Mount Moriah, Mount Calvary, is Isaac, which gives birth to freedom. This is the "glorious holy mountain," "the mountain of the Lord;" as it is said, "In the mountain of the Lord it shall be seen." What?—Jehovah-jireh, "the Lord will provide." What?—The Lamb. "God will provide Himself a Lamb for the burnt-offering." What Lamb?—Oh, "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world"! Praise the Lord. See . For the distinction between the covenants see .

3. Perfect faith works perfect obedience. God could not confirm His covenant with an oath until Abraham had fulfilled this condition explicitly stated in . The original Hebrew for the word "make" in verse 2 is "give." This shows that even the covenant, as well as the power to keep it, was a free gift by grace. Abraham had shown his lack of faith and obedience in looking to Eleazer as his heir, and in taking Hagar to be his wife. As a result he was also fearful, as is shown by his lack of truthfulness before Pharaoh (), before Abimelech (), and no doubt in many other places since leaving Haran (verse 13). This last great close test came upon Abraham because of these failures. He was tried to the uttermost, but not above what he was able to bear in the strength which had been offered him. The Lord revealed to him the truthfulness of the statement, "I will also with the temptation make a way of escape, that ye may be able to bear it." He also saw that God brings men over the ground again and again, until perfect humility and transformation of character bring them into harmony with Christ and the Spirit of heaven, and they are victors over themselves.

Additional Study.

1. Read and 21, and note Abraham's relations with Abimelech, his test of faith and obedience in sending away Hagar and Ishmael according to Sarah's word.

2. That the everlasting covenant was made with others than Abraham see ; , etc.

3. At his birth he was called Isaac, laughter, rejoicing. How does this illustrate the birth of Christ?

4. Satan's design in tempting us is our destruction; God's design is our salvation. Study carefully .

5. Name in order, and locate as far as possible, all the places where Abraham sojourned or pitched his tent since leaving Haran.

6. Abraham had forsaken home, countrymen, and earthly friends, had become a pilgrim in a strange land, had been entirely separated from Lot, had exiled Hagar and Ishmael, and now was asked to offer up his only-begotten son. Why was all this? See .

7. How many times did the Lord renew His promise to Abraham? Note the additional surety in each case.

8. Draw a careful parallel between Abraham and Isaac's experiences in this chapter, and that of the Father and Son before and at Calvary.

Bible texts in this lesson

Genesis 22:1-19 · Genesis 22:1 · Genesis 22:2 · Genesis 22:3 · Genesis 22:4 · Genesis 22:5 · Genesis 22:6 · Genesis 22:7 · Genesis 22:8 · Genesis 22:9 · Genesis 22:10 · Genesis 22:11 · Genesis 22:12 · Genesis 22:13 · Genesis 22:14 · Genesis 22:15 · Genesis 22:16 · Hebrews 6:13-18 · Genesis 22:17 · Genesis 22:18 · Genesis 22:19 · Galatians 4:22-31 · Genesis 17:1 · Genesis 17:2 · Genesis 12:13 · Genesis 20:2 · Genesis 20 · 2 Samuel 23:5 · Isaiah 54:10 · Hebrews 11:17-19 · James 2:21-23

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