GENESIS CHAPTER 22 God tempts Abraham, Genesis 22:1; to sacrifice Isaac, Genesis 22:2. He readily goes about it, Genesis 22:3-6. Isaac's question, Genesis 22:7. Abraham's answer, Genesis 22:8. They come to the place; he binds Isaac; lays him on the altar; takes the knife, Genesis 22:9,10. The Lord sees his integrity, and forbids him, Genesis 22:11,12. A ram caught, and offered in the stead of Isaac, Genesis 22:13. The name of the place, Jehovah-jireh, Genesis 22:14. The Lord calls a second time, Genesis 22:15; swears by himself; confirms his promise to Abraham and his seed, Genesis 22:16-18. Abraham returns to Beer-sheba, Genesis 22:19. The posterity of his brother Nahor, Genesis 22:20-24. After the accomplishment of God's promises made to Abraham, and especially of that promise concerning the blessed Seed, when now he seemed to be in a most prosperous and secure condition, he meets with a severe exercise from God, God did tempt Abraham. The word tempt is ambiguous, and signifies either,
1. To entice to sin, in which sense devils and wicked men are said to tempt others, but God tempts no man, James 1:13. Or,
2. To prove or try, and in this sense God is said to tempt men. See Deuteronomy 8:2, Deuteronomy 13:3 Judges 2:22. Thus God tempted Abraham, i.e. he tried the sincerity and strength of his faith, the universality and constancy of his obedience, and this for God's great honour, and Abraham's great glory and comfort, and for the church's benefit in all following ages. Beheld, here I am; an expression signifying a man's attentive hearing what is said to him, and his readiness to execute it, as Genesis 22:7,11 Ge 27:1 1 Samuel 3:4,6.