“…‘Take your son, your only son, whom you love – Isaac – and go to…Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering…’ – Genesis 22: 2 (NIV)
The Testing of Abraham
In Genesis 22:1-2, God tests Abraham’s faith by instructing him to offer his only son, Isaac, as a burnt offering on Mount Moriah. This command challenges Abraham’s obedience and faith in God’s promises. Isaac was the son through whom God had promised to establish a great nation.
In this portion of Scripture (Genesis 22), we are reminded of God’s provision but also of the foretelling of the plan for man’s redemption. Abraham’s obedience was paramount in God’s
provision of a sacrifice and the foreshadowing of Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice for mankind. Despite the difficult command, Abraham demonstrates unwavering faith in God’s goodness and set out to obey. As they approached the place of sacrifice, Isaac inquired about the lamb for the offering. Abraham replied that God Himself will provide the lamb (Genesis 22:8), a clear foreshadowing of God’s ultimate provision for redemption through Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.
His faith was proven. God intervened just as he was about to sacrifice his only son, by providing a ram caught in the thicket (Genesis 22:11-13). This act of substitution points to the concept of atonement and redemption, where one is offered in the place of another, ultimately fulfilled by Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross for the sins of humanity.
After Abraham’s demonstration of unwavering faith and obedience, God reiterates His
promises of blessings to him and his descendants (Genesis 22:15-18). This blessing to all nations finds fulfillment in Jesus, Who, as the descendant of Abraham, becomes the means of redemption and reconciliation between God and peoples from every nation.
The willingness of Abraham to offer his beloved son mirrors God the Father’s willingness to offer His only begotten Son, Jesus, as a sacrifice for humanity’s sin. The provision of the ram as a substitute for Isaac prefigures Jesus Christ as the perfect Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
The account of Abraham’s faith and obedience, along with God’s provision and promise, points to the ultimate redemption and reconciliation between God and man through the person and work of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.
Prayer
Dear Father, I come to You today with a heart of thanksgiving. Help me to walk in obedience, knowing that You love and care about me; in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Read: Genesis 12:1-3, Genesis 17:19
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 92; I Corinthians 3; I Chronicles 24; I Chronicles 25; I Chronicles 26:1-19
