GENESIS 22 THE OFFERING OF ISAAC This is the climax of God’s dealing with Abraham. This is the supreme test of Abraham’s faith and confidence in God’s promises. God confirms this covenant with a solemn oath. From this time on in the narrative of Abraham’s life, there are only accounts given of events as Abraham puts his affairs in order in view of the future. He bought a burying place in the land God promised to him, but that was not an act of doubt but of courtesy and common sense in the present circumstance. Some things in life may cost us, but if it is able to testify to our faith in God, any cost is worth the right outcome. The demands put on Christians are often unrealistic and unfair, but the results may be far more effective than the cost.
Abraham also wanted a suitable wife for Isaac before he died and he wanted to make an appropriate distribution of all he had to those to whom he had an obligation. His story began with “Go out from your country,” and near the end of his story it was, “Take your son... and offer him.” At the beginning he was to “Go to a land…,” and at the end “Go to a mountain.” When he first came to the land God promised him, he built an altar “By the great tree of Moreh.” Near the end be built an altar in “the region of Moriah.” Before he left his father’s house, God made promises to Abraham. After he offered Isaac, God confirmed those promises.
Faith does not choose its own time and place to be tested, but it leaves behind it a life of testimony to God’s grace and love. Faith will be tested in many ways, but when we have been crucified with Christ, we are raised from spiritual deadness to a spiritually resurrected life in Christ. Christ now lives in us and when we may have to bear in our mortal bodies evidence of our faith, the trials that produce that evidence is a testimony to the faithfulness of God.
The death of our Lord Jesus Christ for us, has opened up a whole new life lived on “redemption ground, the ground of peace.” God’s grace allows us to experience such momentous blessings, that we are changed. We died to the world when Christ died. We have been buried to the world and are raised to walk in newness of life. As changed people we “walk in the light as He is in the light,” and the unfruitful works of darkness lose their attraction to us.
ULTIMATE OBEDIENCE Genesis 22 is a marvelous presentation of the love of God in giving His Son. Morally it sets forth, in a special way, the faith of Abraham.
- v.1. The supreme test: No one has ever had his or her faith tested beyond that of Abraham. The one in whom all the promises were centered was Isaac. He acted not according to reason but in faith.
- v.3-6. The act of obedience: Job submitted passively to what God allowed. Abraham was called to act in a way contrary to nature, to paternal love, and to divine and human laws deliberately. Faith knows that those which sleep in Jesus, “Will God bring with Him.”
- v.7-8. Father and son: The first mention of love in the Bible [v.2] is significantly in connection with the love of the father acting in the fear of God. He overcame the fear of man.
- v.9-10. Perfect obedience: The perfect submission and uncomplaining obedience of the Son to the Father, “Not My will, but Thine be done.” Isaac bore the wood; the knife and the fire (judgment and death) are in the hands of the father (read Ps.88:6-7).
- v.5. Perfect communion: “Abide ye here.” There are some things only comprehended by the Father and the Son [Jn.5:17,30].
- v.9-10. Perfect submission: Abraham builds the altar, Abraham lays the wood in order, Abraham binds his son, Abraham laid him on the altar, Abraham stretched forth his hand, Abraham took the knife. “He is led as a lamb to the slaughter...” Comparison and contrast: In other offerings, the victim was killed and then laid on the altar. Here, as a type of Christ, the living sacrifice is on the altar. The type stops here because “God spared not His Son.” In a figure Abraham received Isaac from the dead [Heb.11:9]. The ram then takes up the type of Christ as God provides for “Himself a lamb.”
The test was not to make him fall, but to deepen his capacity to obey God and thereby develop his character. The refining process is to extract what is good and precious from all the dross around. To obey God may mean giving up something we really want. Obedience should not be expected to be easy or to come naturally. It is difficult to let go of what we deeply love. Have you withheld your love, your children, your time from God? Abraham went farther and higher because he was willing to give his son. That is like God. Abraham received abundant blessing because he did not hold back, but obeyed his God. God in turn blessed him…
- God gave his descendants the ability to conquer their enemies.
- God promised him children and grandchildren who would bless the whole earth.
The Test, v.1-2. Following times of blessing, discipline proves whether what we have experienced really changes us in our character and life, or if it was merely a temporary change. God tests us to bring out good. Satan tempts us to bring out evil. God allows trials to develop faith that does not question the purposes and will of God. When that faith becomes real, we are brought nearer to God.
The Trial, v.3-10. There didn’t seem to be any hesitation in Abraham to what God told him. He “rose early” and did what God said. The first step of faith is significant. He believed God and believed God’s promises, so he did not question God’s intention. He said, “I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.” He knew Isaac would be coming back with him.
Isaac’s question, “Where is the lamb?” didn’t seem to bother Abraham. He knew God would provide and do just what He wanted. His responsibility was to do what God told him to do. God didn’t want Isaac’s life but Abraham’s loyalty. The Triumph, v.11-14. God had everything timed so that at the right moment He spoke again to Abraham. Abraham was prepared to give God his very best which is all faith can do. Neither Abraham nor Isaac would ever forget that event, that day and that powerful and triumphant intervention of God.
When we look back over our life’s history, there will be times when people who live by faith will bear testimony to the power, presence and reality of God providing for us what is needed, and likely not only meeting the need but surpassing what we could have expected. The Testimony, v.15-19. God spoke clearly and personally to Abraham when he took His solemn oath that He knew the reality of Abraham’s faith. Faith takes God at His word. That is the foundation of our life, peace, strength and progress. Faith is strong by its very nature. Faith goes far beyond emotions or self-sacrifice. Faith believes that God can raise one’s own son from the dead to keep His promises. The test resulted in faith being vindicated. Faith has its source in God. God is a reality to those who put their faith in Him. There is no skepticism or doubting when God’s will is made plain. Faith believes God. Faith’s secret is unquestioning trust in God. Twice Abraham said to God, “Here am I.” Fellowship with God is real, personal and responsive. As we abide in Christ, faith grows strong, love grows deep and our confident hope grows higher than ever.
JEHOVAH-JIREH The power of faith is in the great blessing of grace. Faith is in the hearts of those who are redeemed by the blood of Christ. Faith prevails with God, and over sin and Satan. Faith overcomes impossibilities. Faith leads to victory over great obstacles. Faith provides a place of security in the storms of life. Faith gives a Christian a shield in the warfare in which we are engaged. Faith discerns things that cannot be seen. Faith lets us learn the mind of God, and the power of the cross. Faith puts Jesus on the throne of our life and produces love for Him that is stronger than death. Faith opens our hearts and mouths to pray and praise God. Faith makes life an exciting journey of spiritual service. Faith gives light to see all that it focuses on.
Faith is a treasure to use now. Faith is more valuable than all the wealth of the world. Faith takes us through trials to see the reality and purpose of God’s grace in all its strength. Faith is as evident as the courage of a soldier in a battle; the root of a tree in a strong wind; a rock standing against the waves of the sea; the foundation of a building – all unseen but all evident.
And often unexpectedly, faith is tested. In Abraham’s case, it was tested in an unprecedented way. His joy in Isaac, the promised seed, must have been frozen solid “after these things” had happened. “Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom you love, 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!”
One might think, “Have I been wrong all the time? Did I get things right, or is it all nothing but a dream?” And then, faith steps up and makes itself known. God had been proven before and had always been true to His word. There is no reason to doubt Him now. Isaac may die, but faith does not die. God will bring him back to life so the promised Seed will come through him. “God cannot lie!” Abraham rose early to do exactly what God’s will was without question or complaint. What great faith!
Three days and fifty miles later “the place” was before Abraham. The time had come to take Isaac alone to the place of sacrifice. Only God would witness this event of personal faith in Him. Perhaps agony of soul would mix with the calmness of spirit that was in Abraham and Isaac, both who knew God by personal faith. The calmness of peace, firm steps, persevering faith, the voice of trust, “God will provide Himself a lamb,” all testified to real trust in God. He will do what He promises in His own way.
Faith is the simple element of unreserved trust. It is consistent in what it does without trembling questions. It looks above what is ordinary and above the sky to the face of God. “God will provide…” It goes forward step by step knowing that God leads us and God leads to glory; God’s glory is unspeakable blessing.
Faith binds Isaac and doesn’t inquire as to if this is right or not. Faith takes the knife in hand and raises it above the young, strong man who is bound on the altar, with the confidence that whatever is the outcome of this action, Isaac will live in one way or another and they will go home together. God promised! At the very last moment faith is rewarded. Isaac lives as one who was raised from the dead. Victory, peace and joy unite and are evident as God speaks again. “Now I know…” Faith triumphs, faith is honored, faith is confirmed and faith is expanded.
A new life of unique joy, heavenly joy, is experienced as God demonstrated His love in a way that was greater and higher than ever before. “In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen.” That place is where every person of faith goes when we are in need, in danger and are fearful in our weakness. At Jehovah- Jireh God is there in His strength, love and mercy with a full supply of needed grace. It is there our guilt was laid on Jesus. It is there our hearts burn within us. It is there our strength is renewed as eagle’s wings. It is there in the high place of fellowship with God, that the whole universe of divine grace is opened way beyond our normal or natural understanding.
Jehovah-Jireh supplies grace when grace is needed. The place of sacrifice is the place of blessing. It is our place of prayer, praise, hope and service. Grace is there for suffering and service; for prosperity and for poverty; for activity and adversity; for family and foes; for living and for dying. Grace and glory are in the place where Jesus died for me.