The Perfecting of Faith – Part 2 – Hebrews 11:17-19

This temptation of Abraham is said to be for his trial. And it is so carried in the story, as if God had done it for his own satisfaction in the faith and love of Abraham; for so he says, on the issue of it, “Now I know that thou fearest God,” Gen. 22:12. But these things are spoken after the manner of men. God knew the faith of Abraham what was the strength of it, as also the sincerity of his love, for they were both from himself; he knew what would be the issue of the trial of them, and what he had himself determined concerning the life of Isaac: and therefore “Now I know,” is no more but ‘Now I have made known,’ namely, ‘unto thyself and others.’ Thus, therefore, he was tried. God by his command, which could not be obeyed but by a vigorous, victorious faith, fervent love, and a reverential fear of God, made it known unto Abraham for his comfort, and to all the church for their example, unto his everlasting honour, what power of grace was in him, and by what principles he was entirely acted in his walking before God. – John Owen