Genesis 22:1-19 ESV
After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I." He said, "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you." So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. Then Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you." And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together. And Isaac said to his father Abraham, "My father!" And he said, "Here am I, my son." He said, "Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" Abraham said, "God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son." So they went both of them together. When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I." He said, "Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me." And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called the name of that place, "The Lord will provide"; as it is said to this day, "On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided." And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven and said, "By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord , because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice." So Abraham returned to his young men, and they arose and went together to Beersheba. And Abraham lived at Beersheba.
Rev. Dwight Yoo
This is the climactic moment in the life of Abraham. It is a very dramatic event.
Faith Tested
God told Abraham that he was to be tested. God told Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac, as a burnt offering. This sounds insane. But during these times, the Canaanite worldview said that the god that provided fertility was also entitled to a portion of what had been provided. This included animals, grains, and even children. This would have been a normal request to Abraham. It must have made no sense. God promised to make a great nation through this son. And now, God asks for Isaac as a burnt offering. But God knows that Abraham will obey. So why does God ask for this? God knows what will happen, but God still asks Abraham for his son.
God wanted the expression of Abraham's devotion. Not just the emotion. Isaac is the symbol of all of Abraham's hopes and joy. Abraham has been waiting for his entire lifetime. And God asks it. He wants to know, will God be sufficient. Does Abraham follow God because of God's promise or is it because God is enough? Would we follow God, if all we got was pain? This is the test of devotion and love for God. As believers, we are called to leave everything, take up our cross, and follow God.
The second test is one of trust. Does Abraham trust God enough to follow through even when the instructions make no sense, cruel, and painful?
Faith Proved
This is the heart of faith. Abraham did not argue with God. He did not delay. He woke up early in the morning. The mountain was a three days trip. There was plenty of time to turn back and to change his mind. But Abraham does not turn back. He does not hesitate. We can only imagine how Abraham struggled internally. It is possible that Abraham believed that God could raise the dead. So even if Abraham sacrificed his son, Good could raise him from the dead.
Hebrews 11:17-19 ESV
By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, "Through Isaac shall your offspring be named." He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.
Abraham has failed to believe in God. Plenty of tests where Abraham failed to believe. But now, Abraham has such a mature faIsaac, Not only this, but God is working out this kind of faith in us as well.
Testament to Love
This passage does not only speak of Abraham's love and devotion to God. It also speaks of God's love and devotion to us. God provides and sees to the blessing of Abraham's descendants. Even though Abraham and his descendants are sinful and difficult, God sees to it. He does it. God would provide through a substitute. Since the ram was sacrificed instead of Isaac, Abraham knew that God would provide a sacrifice in our stead.
John 8:56 ESV
Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad."
Another man also carried wood up this same mountain range. He was also silent as he was prepared for sacrifice. And just like Abraham agonized for three days, God experienced this same pain. But there was no one to stay the knife. God allowed his only son to be tortured and beaten beyond recognition. Not only that, but willed it. To die for the enemies of God. What kind of love is this?
Romans 8:32 ESV
He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
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