Exploring Devotion - Genesis 22:1-18 - April 13, 2008

Sunday School Lesson - Exploring Devotion - April 13, 2008

This is lesson two (2) in our series of study.

Our scripture is Genesis 22:1-14, 17-18.

Last Sunday we began a journey along with Abram and his wife Sarai. In this Sunday’s lesson, Abram and Sarai have journeyed with GOD for about forty-five (45) years. They have seen the promise of GOD come true in the birth of their son, Isaac. GOD had worked in their lives in many different ways and GOD is about to ask Abraham to give back to HIM the most precious thing he possessed, his son Isaac.

As a father and a grandfather, this story of Abraham and Isaac is an awesome example of the faith in GOD. Again, we see the absolute faith that Abraham had in GOD. We view GOD’S request for Abraham to offer his only son as a “burnt offering” as barbaric but in Abraham’s day child sacrifice was part of some of the pagan cultures. The Cannites practiced the sacrifice of small children to a limited extent. So it was not an off-the-wall request by GOD for Abraham to sacrifice his son according to the area but we know later in scripture that GOD condemned human sacrifice. It was a test of Abraham’s faith. However, we must keep in mind that we know the end of the story but Abraham did not know the conclusion until it happened.

I will share with you what the LORD revealed to me later in this lesson.

Let’s read Genesis 22:1-2:

1 After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he answered. 2 “Take your son,” He said, “your only [son]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. Isaac, whom you love, go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a • burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.”

“After these things” covers various encounters that Abraham had had with GOD over approximately forty-five (45) years. Abraham and GOD had built an intimate relationship. Abraham knew GOD’S voice and when he heard HIS voice he responded. GOD had been faithful to Abraham in giving him and Sarah their son, Isaac. Isaac was GOD’S miracle child. JESUS is GOD’S miracle child. Abram and Sarai took matters in their own hands and produced a child, Ishmael, using Sarai’s handmaiden Hagar. But Ishmael was not GOD’S promised child through whom all the promises of GOD to Abraham would be fulfilled.

GOD called to Abraham and Abraham responded “Here I am.” Most of us want to hear GOD speak to us but what will GOD ask of us? GOD had spoken to Abraham many times and Abraham always responded. This time is no different. GOD asked him to do something that must have cut him to his heart.

GOD did not mince any words, HE told Abraham what HE wanted him to do and HE would show him where HE wanted it done. The story is straight forward – GOD told Abraham to sacrifice his only son, who he loved, as a burnt offering. Apparently GOD made the request the evening before and because early the next morning Abraham packed up all he needed to carry out the request. Scripture tells what he took with him and that the trip took three (3) days. There is no suggestion of the conversation along the journey. Apparently most of the trip was in silence. When a person has something serious on his or her mind, he or she usually remains silent. Abraham told the two (2) servants to wait while he and the boy went to worship. He tells the servants they will be back. Isaac has to tote the wood. Isaac asks where the sacrifice is. Abraham said GOD would provide. Isaac soon finds out that he is the sacrifice. Abraham ties Isaac and places him on the wood. He raises the slaughter knife to slit Isaac’s throat. Abraham was going to do the deed. In an urgent cry GOD calls Abraham’s name twice. GOD tells Abraham not to harm the boy. Abraham looks up to see a ram caught in the bushes. GOD provided the ram to be sacrificed. Then GOD reconfirms and expands HIS promises to Abraham.

This is a straight forward account. We want to fill in some details. I am no different, so I will do some speculation. But realize much is speculation.

GOD uses the words “your only son whom you love.” GOD knew Abraham’s heart. GOD knew Abraham loved his only son Isaac and HE knew that Abraham loved HIM, GOD. Now Abraham is faced with a choice, obey GOD or question what he thought he heard GOD asked him to do and sacrifice his only son as a burnt offering.

Let’s see read and speculate.

Let’s read Genesis 22:3-10:

3 So early in the morning Abraham got up, saddled his donkey, and took with him two of his young men and his son Isaac. He split wood for a burnt offering and set out to go to the place God had told him about. 4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5 Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go over there to worship; then we’ll come back to you.” 6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and laid it on his son Isaac. In his hand he took the fire and the sacrificial knife,[1] The same word is used in Jdg 19:29 and Pr 30:14. and the two of them walked on together. 7 Then Isaac spoke to his father Abraham and said, “My father.” And he replied, “Here I am, my son.” Isaac said, “The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” 8 Abraham answered, “God Himself will provide[2] Lit see [3] Gn 22:14 the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” Then the two of them walked on together. 9 When they arrived at the place that God had told him about, Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood. He bound his son Isaac[4] Or perhaps Isaac hand and foot and placed him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then Abraham reached out and took the knife to slaughter his son.

The implication is that GOD had spoken to Abraham the day before and without question Abraham got up early did as GOD asked him.

We are not sure of the age of Isaac but likely he was in his teens.

Abraham prepares for the trip and takes everything he will need to carry out GOD’S request.

It took them three (3) days to reach the place GOD had asked Abraham to go. On the third day JESUS was resurrected from the dead. As far as Abraham was concerned Isaac was as good as dead but GOD in essence raised him from the dead by providing a substitute sacrifice.

Abraham had a lot of time to ponder what GOD had asked him to do. Did he question if he had heard GOD correctly? GOD had given him and Sarah their only son and GOD had told him that he would have offspring as numerous as the sands of the seashore. It must have entered Abraham’s mind why GOD wanted him to sacrifice his only son. Yet, Abraham responded in obedient. Abraham has great faith in GOD. Hebrews may give us a clue to the degree of faith GOD had in GOD.

Hebrews 11:17-19:

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested,[16] Gn 22:1–14 offered up Isaac; he who had received the promises was offering up his unique son, 18 about whom it had been said, In Isaac your seed will be called.[17] Gn 21:12 19 He considered God to be able even to raise someone from the dead,[18] Rm 4:17–18 from which he also got him back as an illustration.[19] Or foreshadowing, or parable, or type

Hebrews may also help us with the statement Abraham makes in verse 5, “The boy and I will go over there to worship; then we’ll come back to you.” Notice two (2) things, Abraham calls refers to Isaac as “the boy”. Had Abraham already distanced himself from his son? But the most important statement is “then we will come back.” WOW!!!

In Abraham’s mind Isaac was as good as dead and reduced to ashes but if GOD can do the impossible by giving him and Sarah a child from barrenness, HE can raise Isaac from the dead. GOD knew Abraham’s heart and HE knew that his intentions were to sacrifice Isaac. But GOD did not intervene at this point. GOD took Abraham to the very brink of using the slaughter knife to kill his son.

Isaac had to carry the wood that would reduce him to ashes. But who else had to carry the wood that would become their instrument of death? JESUS!

Abraham is carrying the two (2) things that could harm Isaac the fire and the sacrificial knife. The knife is a special slaughter knife.

Isaac being an astute young man asks the question “My father” where is the lamb? Notice Abraham’s response “Here I am, my son.” Abraham responds as he would to GOD and he responds with tenderness, “My son.” Abraham’s heart must have been about to burst but his answer is out of faith, “GOD Himself will provide.”

It seems that the silence is deafening as they walk to the exact place GOD told them. This exact place became the site for the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem years later. During the life of Abraham it was a mountain that would become a special place in Jewish history, Solomon’s temple.

2 Chronicles 3:1:
1 Then Solomon began to build the Lord’s temple in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah[1] Gn 22:2 where the Lord[2] LXX; Tg reads the Angel of the Lord; MT reads He had appeared to his father David, at the site David had prepared on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.[3] 2 Sm 24:16–24; 1 Ch 21:15–28; Ornan is spelled Araunah in 2 Sm.

Did Abraham say anything to Isaac as he was binding him for sacrifice? The binding was such that the animal would not escape. Did Isaac question his father? We do not know but it seems that Isaac was obedient to his father s request. All is ready for the sacrifice. Abraham takes the slaughter knife to slay his only son. Isaac was a good as dead.

Activity seems to pick up quickly. There is a sense of urgency.

Quickly let’s read Genesis 22:11-14, 17-18:

11 But the Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” He replied, “Here I am.” 12 Then He said, “Do not lay a hand on the boy or do anything to him. For now I know that you • fear God, since you have not withheld your only son from Me.” 13 Abraham looked up and saw a ram a ram caught by its horns in the thicket. So Abraham went and took the ram and offered it as a burnt offering in place of his son. 14 And Abraham named that place The Lord Will Provide so today it is said: “It will be provided on the Lord’s mountain.” 15 Then the Angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven 16 and said, “By Myself I have sworn, says the Lord: Because you have done this thing and have not withheld your only son [9] Rm 8:32 17 I will indeed bless you and make your • offspring as numerous as the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your offspring will possess the gates of their enemies. 18 And all the nations of the earth will be blessed by your offspring[11] Gn 12:3 because you have obeyed My command.”

The Angel of the LORD called out not once but twice “Abraham” “Abraham”. Abraham knew that voice and he answered “Here I am.”
Was Abraham anxiously hoping for such a cry of his name?

Good news Abraham you have passed the test. GOD knows that you would have sacrificed your only son whom you love.

Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught in the bushes. He sacrifices the ram.

Because of Abraham’s faith and obedience GOD told him of the blessings that would be his and his offspring. Because we have faith, every Christian is included in the promises GOD made to Abraham.

Let’s think about what we have just read.

The birth of Isaac was a miracle. GOD empowered the womb of Sarah to conceive Isaac, just as HE empowered the womb of Mary to conceive JESUS. Abraham fathered Isaac but GOD fathered JESUS through the HOLY SPIRIT. Isaac was Abraham’s only son whom he loved deeply and JESUS is GOD’S only SON whom HE loved deeply. Abraham had to make a choice to obey GOD and sacrifice his only son. He chose to obey GOD. GOD provided a substitute sacrifice for Isaac as an example of a temporary solution. GOD gave HIS only SON as a permanent solution to satisfy the penalty for sin and death.

GOD asked Abraham to sacrifice his only son who he loved. Yet, this was the son through whom the future nation depended. His offspring would multiply to number as the stars in the sky and the sands on the seashore. GOD tested Abraham but Abraham did not know it was a test. He did not know what we know. As far as Abraham was concerned Isaac was as good as dead. Yet, he knew that GOD had promised him a son and that there would be offspring.

We have to also consider the obedience of Isaac and consider the obedience of JESUS. It seems the relationship between Abraham and Isaac can be compared to the relationship between GOD, THE FATHER and JESUS. GOD made a decision to allow HIS ONLY SON to come to earth to die for the sins of mankind. JESUS obediently chose to come to earth to give HIS life to redeem mankind from sin and death. Abraham had to decide whether or not to obey GOD’S request. Abraham was obedient. However Isaac did not know he was to be the burnt offering until they got on the mountain. But as CHRIST had to carry HIS own cross timber to HIS place of execution, so Isaac carried the wood for him to be sacrificed upon. It seems that Isaac did not resist his father’s will to obey GOD.

When I try to place myself in this same situation it is very difficult. I am sure I would rationalize some way out of sacrificing my child. This reveals the absolute trust and confidence Abraham had in GOD. The word “burnt offering” meant that nothing would be left after the sacrifice. Unlike other sacrifices a “burnt offering” was a total commitment to GOD with nothing left for human use. Isaac would be reduced to a pile of ashes. I see the pain Abraham must have felt as he approached the moment when he had to implement GOD’S request.

I think this event reveals the pain GOD felt in HIS heart when HIS ONLY, SINLESS, SON, WHOM HE LOVES BEYOND IMAGINATION hung on the cross for the sins of the world. Even though GOD had the power to resurrect HIS ONLY SON the fact that HE had to go through the ordeal broke HIS heart. GOD knew there would no substitute for JESUS as there was for Isaac. Yet HE gave HIS SON for this purpose because “HE so loved the world”. Through the obedience of JESUS, mankind would be redeemed from sin and death to all who believe and receive eternal life. There would never be a need for another sacrifice. JESUS paid it all.

GOD knows the heartbreak of every person who has lost a loved one in death. GOD rejoices that through the death of HIS SON, mankind has the hope of the resurrection through CHRIST for those who accept CHRIST as their SAVIOR. GOD knows how people feel when they lose a loved one in death. HE and JESUS rejoice that for those in CHRIST, it is not the end but only a continuation of the eternal life they received the moment they accepted CHRIST as their SAVIOR.

The Angel of the LORD reconfirms the promises of GOD to Abraham.

Let’s examine the earlier promises GOD made to Abraham:

I am not going into detail but hit a couple of areas to provoke thought.

It seems that each time Abraham showed that his heart was in the right place or he responded in faith GOD reconfirmed and in some cases expanded HIS promises to him.

Our first example is when GOD called Abram and he responded in faith.

Genesis 12:2-3: It is GOD’S promise to make Abram and his influence special. It seems to all about Abram. Notice the number of times “you” was used.

2 I will make you into a great nation, I will bless you, I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.[1] Or great. Be a blessing! [2] Zch 8:13 3 I will bless those who bless you, I will curse those who treat you with contempt,[3] Gn 27:29; Nm 24:9 and all the peoples[4] Lit clans on earth will be blessed[5] Or will find blessing through you.[6] Or will bless themselves by you [7] Gn 26:4; 28:14; Gl 3:8

Genesis 13:14-16: Abraham did not exert his authority over Lot. Abraham wanted an amicable solution to their matter. This was achieved when Abraham let Lot choose where he wanted to go to first. This showed Abraham’s heart. GOD reconfirmed HIS promises to Abraham and his offspring. The expansion is “his offspring.”

14 After Lot had separated from him, the Lord said to Abram, “Look from the place where you are. Look north and south, east and west, 15 for I will give you and your • offspring forever all the land that you see. 16 I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if one could count the dust of the earth, then your offspring could be counted.

Genesis 17:1-11: GOD had earlier confirmed to Abraham that HE would give him a son from his own loins. GOD establishes the covenant of circumcision with Abraham.

1 When Abram was 99 years old, the Lord appeared to him, saying, “I am • God Almighty.[1] Gn 28:3; 35:11; Ex 6:3 Live in My presence and be devout.[2] Gn 6:9; Ps 15:2; Lk 1:6 2 I will establish My covenant between Me and you, and I will multiply you greatly.” 3 Then Abram fell to the ground,[3] Lit fell on his face and God spoke with him: 4 “As for Me, My covenant is with you, and you will become the father of many nations.[4] Abraham was father not only of the Israelites, but also of the Ishmaelites, the Edomites, and the Midianites. Spiritually, he is the father of all believers; Gl 3:7,29. 5 Your name will no longer be Abram,[5] = The Father Is Exalted but your name will be Abraham,[6] = Father of a Multitude for I will make you the father of many nations.[7] Rm 4:17–18 6 I will make you extremely fruitful and will make nations and kings come from you. 7 I will keep My covenant between Me and you, and your • offspring after you throughout their generations, as an everlasting covenant to be your God and the [God]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. of your offspring after you. 8 And to you and your offspring after you I will give the land where you are residing—all the land of Canaan—as an eternal possession, and I will be their God.” 9 God also said to Abraham, “As for you, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations are to keep My covenant. 10 This is My covenant, which you are to keep, between Me and you and your offspring after you: Every one of your males must be circumcised. 11 You must circumcise the flesh of your foreskin to serve as a sign of the covenant between Me and you.[8] You in v. 11 is pl.

Notice how GOD has included Abraham’s offspring throughout their generations.

Go back and review Genesis 22:17-18. Up to this point GOD had been doing all the blessing, now Abraham’s offspring would be a blessing. WHO is that offspring? JESUS!!!

GOD had just given Abraham the ultimate test of faith and he passed the test. In verses 17 and 18 GOD seems to be speaking with enthusiasm and delight that HE can give to Abraham and his descendants these promises because of their faith. It seems that the final decision is made that JESUS will come through the ancestry of Abraham. All who have faith as Abraham did, GOD will equip them with HIS power to control the gates to their lives through THE PRESENCE OF GOD AND AFTER CHRIST the indwelling power of the HOLY SPIRIT.

As believers we have to take note that GOD did not intervene in what HE had asked Abraham to do until the very last moment. Often when we walk with the LORD, HE will test us to the very brink. But when it is over we have grown in confidence in the LORD. Abraham called the mountain, the LORD will provide.

This has the same promise of Romans 8:28: 28 We know that all things work together[16] Other mss read that God works together in all things for the good[17] The ultimate good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.

Notice that Abraham did not see the ram until GOD considered that he had fullfilled HIS request.