How was the faith of Abraham tested?

Answer 1

God seemingly asked Abraham to sacrifice his son to Him. Abraham trusted that God knew best and just as he was about to kill Isaac, God sent a ram for him to sacrifice instead. Abraham proved his faith by not questioning what was asked of him.

Answer 2

The account of Abraham's testing is recorded in Genesis ch.22, in the first two verses of the chapter it says "And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt [test] Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of." Abraham's faith was tried with the ultimate test, and it goes much further then killing his only child to offer him as a sacrifice, as if it's not bad enough, but Isaac was the son of the promise, it is through Isaac that God has promised to make a great nation that will possess the promised land from Nile to Euphrates (Genesis 15:18, 21:12) And that meant everything to Abraham, who left his country, his kindred and his father's house to follow God into a place he didn't know, and lived as a vagabond and a pilgrim in tents for the rest of his life (Genesis 12:1-3, Hebrews 11:8-9) for a promise that was to be fulfilled in his seed after him. To sum it up, Abraham has already given up his life for a promise, and then is asked to give up the promise for God. Despite all that, Abraham believed in God, and did as he was told, and as a result he not only got his son Isaac back safe and sound, but has obtained another blessing (Genesis 22:18, Galatians 3:16) And almost two thousand years later, another Father offered His Son as an offering, on the very same hill (I believe) to die for the sins of the children of Abraham, and also for all mankind so that in Him (Abraham's seed) all the nations of the earth are blessed. Genesis 22:18 "And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice."

Answer 3

• His wife, Sarah, was abducted by Pharaoh (Genesis ch.12) and later by Avimelekh the Philistine (Genesis ch.20).
  
• He was compelled to go into battle to rescue his nephew (Genesis ch.14).
  
• He was tested by God to see whom he loved more: his son Isaac, or God (Genesis ch.22).
  
• His wife Sarah was barren for many decades (Genesis ch.11, 15 and 16).
  
• Until he built up a circle of disciples, he was alone as a monotheist in a sea of idolaters.

Answer 4

Abraham was tested and showed his faith many times.

• He obeyed God, leaving his wider family (Genesis 12), which was unheard of in those days.
• His wife was abducted (Genesis 12 and 20), but he never lost faith.
• He was compelled to sojourn in Egypt during a famine (Genesis 12) and did not question God's wisdom and kindness.
• During a dispute among the shepherds, he acted circumspectly, and with deference (Genesis 13), in keeping with his righteous ways.
• In wartime, he entered the fray (Genesis 14) as needed, fully trusting in God's protection.
• He obeyed the command of circumcision (Genesis 17), which is no simple matter for a grown man.
• He reacted with full belief when God said that his aged and long-barren wife would have a son (Genesis 17, Targum and Rashi).
• He obeyed God's command, in sending Ishmael out to live separately (Genesis 21).
• He showed full readiness to sacrifice his son Isaac, should that be God's will (Genesis 22).

The above is a partial list.

See also the Related Links.

Link: Why did God test Abraham?

Link: More about Abraham

Link: How did Abraham get rewarded for his faithfulness?

Answer 5

By asking him to sacrafice his only son. (and as he was about to an angel stopped him).