Vayeira 5774

Avraham was tested many times by Hashem, the last test being the Akeidah. The Ramban explains the concept of a test from Hashem. A person has free will and can choose to do something or not. From his viewpoint, he sees Hashem's Word as a test. Hashem however sees this as a command to bring Man's potential into actual. Hashem wants to give Man reward for a good deed rather than just for a good heart. This is why "tests" are given to the righteous, it is for their benefit.