Genesis 22: The Depth of Intimacy, Trust, and Faith – Have We Lost It?

Genesis 22 vividly recounts the extraordinary moment when Abraham was commanded by God to sacrifice his son, Isaac. This chapter often strikes readers profoundly because of Abraham’s unwavering obedience. The scripture reveals no hesitation, no doubt, and no questioning from Abraham. Instead, we see immediate, obedient action: Abraham got up early, prepared everything needed, and set out for the place God directed.

What makes Abraham’s obedience especially astonishing is that God had explicitly promised him that his descendants would come through Isaac. Any reasonable person might pause to reconsider the logic of this command, yet Abraham demonstrated absolute trust in God’s promises and character. His faith didn't rely on his understanding; it was rooted entirely in the knowledge and intimacy he shared with God.

In today's Christian experience, such profound trust often seems rare. Many believers grapple with fully trusting God, especially when asked to take steps that don't make immediate sense. Our modern inclination often leans toward comprehending everything within our limited human perspective before acting. Isaiah 55:9 states clearly that God’s ways and thoughts are higher than ours. Yet, how often do we genuinely rest in that truth when confronted with difficult or seemingly impossible situations?

Faith trusts even when it can’t trace

Abraham’s faith didn’t just appear spontaneously. It was built over many years through ongoing intimacy and interaction with God. He knew God personally, deeply, and trusted Him implicitly. This intimate relationship enabled Abraham to confidently say, "God will provide," even as he journeyed towards a potentially devastating outcome.

The depth of Abraham’s intimacy and trust in God is further highlighted in verses 5 and 8 of Genesis 22. Verse 5 records Abraham’s confident statement, “we will come back to you,” clearly indicating his unwavering belief that God would intervene or resurrect Isaac. Similarly, in verse 8, Abraham reassures Isaac, stating, “God will provide for Himself the lamb.” These bold declarations came from someone profoundly acquainted with God’s promises and nature. Abraham understood that God's ultimate plan was redemption, and he trusted implicitly that God would fulfill His promises, even when circumstances seemed impossible.

The question arises, how does one develop such radical trust and intimacy? It’s through daily, consistent interaction with God—prayer, study, worship, and obedience. Intimacy isn't about ticking a box on a spiritual checklist. It's about abiding in God’s presence and allowing every answered prayer, moment of comfort, and provision to deepen our knowledge and trust in Him. Abraham experienced numerous interactions with the “Angel of the LORD” (often interpreted as a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus), reinforcing his familiarity, trust, and intimacy with God.

Yet, it seems challenging for Christians today to achieve this depth of intimacy. Is the modern standard of faith and obedience diluted compared to what God expects? Are we hesitant because we don't truly understand God's character and promises? Or perhaps, is it a lack of genuine intimacy with God that leaves us fearful and uncertain?

Today’s Christians often struggle with obedience because intimacy with God isn't prioritized as it once was. Scripture emphasizes repeatedly the critical importance of knowing God deeply. Hosea 4:6 declares, “My people perish for lack of knowledge.” The Hebrew word translated as knowledge—“yada”—conveys a deep, intimate relationship rather than mere intellectual awareness. Without intimacy with God, we are spiritually impoverished, prone to hesitation, and inclined to doubt.

Modern Christianity sometimes appears to lower the threshold of genuine faith, reducing the call to radical obedience and trust to a more comfortable, convenient form. Have we made the requirements of following Jesus less demanding because we fear the cost of true discipleship? Abraham’s willingness to obey God in an extreme situation reflects a level of discipleship rarely seen today. His faith was not casual—it was intentional, radical, and profoundly rooted in intimate communion with God.

True intimacy with God ensures that even in moments of questioning or struggle, the believer knows deeply who God is, alleviating fundamental doubts about His character. The familiar voice of God becomes a source of reassurance, strength, and courage to act, regardless of how daunting or illogical the request might seem.

We must critically reflect and ask ourselves:

• Have we truly diminished the biblical standard of genuine faith and obedience?

  
  

• Do we lack a deep, personal intimacy with God, comparable to Abraham’s, that allows radical obedience?

  
  

• Is our hesitation born out of a shallow understanding of God's character and promises?

  
  

Every believer must strive toward developing that profound intimacy with God that characterized Abraham’s relationship. Intimacy builds trust, trust strengthens faith, and faith leads to obedience—even when obedience seems impossibly hard.

Radical trust begins where understanding ends. Intimacy with God fuels the kind of obedience Abraham showed.

Let’s discuss:

• Have we reduced the standard of what it truly means to be saved?

  
  

• Do Christians today lack the deep, personal intimacy with God that Abraham demonstrated?

  
  

• Or is our hesitation rooted in a misunderstanding or incomplete understanding of God’s character and His promises?

  
  

We invite you to share your thoughts below. Let's dive deep into this critical conversation.

Do you believe modern Christianity has lowered the standard for genuine faith and obedience?

• 0%Yes, absolutely.
• 0%Somewhat, there's definitely room for improvement.
• 0%No, the standard remains unchanged; understanding is the iss

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