Thank you for the question, “If Abraham believed that God expected him to sacrifice Isaac, why did Abraham tell Isaac “The Lord will provide”? If Abraham knew how it would turn out, how was it a test of his faith?”
As one reads Genesis 22, God commanded Abraham to sacrifice him on the mountain that he will show him. “Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you” (NIV).
Abraham faced a dilemma. He rejoiced in the promised of God that the child that was to be born to him and now years later God commands him to sacrifice his son as a burnt offering.
Here are some thoughts on why it is a test for Abraham:
A. It is a test because he had to choose between obeying God or disobeying God.
B. It is a test because he had to struggle between what he knew and how he felt emotional.
C. It is a test because he had to give a response to his son who asked him where is the animal for the sacrifice.
Abraham could have allowed his emotions to control his action, but instead he allowed his faith to control his action.
For example, Jesus declared to his followers not to lay up treasures in heaven where thieves, moths or rust may steal or damage one’s goods, but lay up treasures in heaven where they are preserved or reserved by God. They know this verse and yet the vast majority of Christians are storing up treasures on earth, despite knowing that they will have to leave it all behind! It’s a struggle between believing God and seeing the tangible possessions of this world.
The same can be said of salvation being offered by God and yet many people have a difficult believing it. There are the reasons to believe God’s offer and there are reasons not to believe it. Each person makes a choice based on their perception of God. It is a test whether they will believe God or not.
Summary: We often makes decisions based on what we can “see” on earth rather than making decisions based on the “unseen” things of heaven.
For more perspectives: