*Genesis 22:1-19
God tests Abraham’s faith by asking him to sacrifice Isaac, but an angel intervenes at the last moment, and a ram is provided instead.
- God’s Testing of Abraham:
- God calls upon Abraham and instructs him to take his son, his only son Isaac, whom he loves, to the land of Moriah and offer him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains God will show him.
- This command is a test of Abraham’s faith and obedience to God’s will, challenging him to sacrifice his beloved son.
- Abraham’s Obedience:
- Early the next morning, Abraham rises and prepares for the journey as God commanded.
- He saddles his donkey, takes two of his servants and Isaac with him, and sets out for the land of Moriah.
- The Journey to Moriah:
- After three days of travel, Abraham sees the place in the distance where God had directed him.
- He instructs the servants to wait with the donkey while he and Isaac proceed to worship God, promising to return to them afterward.
- Isaac’s Question:
- As they journey, Isaac notices that they have the wood and the fire for the offering but asks his father about the lamb for the burnt offering.
- Abraham responds that God will provide the lamb for the offering, indicating his trust in God’s provision.
- Abraham’s Preparation for Sacrifice:
- Upon reaching the place God had designated, Abraham builds an altar and arranges the wood for the burnt offering.
- He binds Isaac, his son, and places him on the altar, ready to sacrifice him as God had commanded.
- Divine Intervention:
- Just as Abraham is about to sacrifice Isaac, the angel of the Lord calls out to him from heaven, telling him not to harm the boy.
- The angel praises Abraham’s obedience and faithfulness and informs him that God has provided a ram caught in the thicket as a substitute for Isaac.
- God’s Blessing and Promise:
- Abraham sees the ram and offers it as a burnt offering instead of his son Isaac.
- The angel of the Lord blesses Abraham, reaffirming God’s promise to bless him abundantly and multiply his descendants.
- The Naming of the Place:
- Abraham names the place “The Lord Will Provide” (Jehovah Jireh), acknowledging God’s provision of the ram for the sacrifice.
- This event becomes a proverbial saying, emphasizing God’s faithfulness and provision for His people.
Genesis 22:1-19 teaches us about faith, trust, and obedience. When God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son, Abraham trusted that God had a plan, even when he didn’t understand. In the end, God provided a ram, showing that He always makes a way. This reminds us that trusting God sometimes means stepping forward in faith, even when things seem difficult. It encourages us to obey Him, knowing that He is faithful and will provide what we need. No matter what challenges we face, we can rely on God’s wisdom and care.
Genesis 22:1-19 (WEB)
22:1 After these things, God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!”He said, “Here I am.”2 He said, “Now take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go into the land of Moriah. Offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains which I will tell you of.”3 Abraham rose early in the morning, and saddled his donkey; and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son. He split the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went to the place of which God had told him. 4 On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place far off. 5 Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go over there. We will worship, and come back to you.” 6 Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. He took in his hand the fire and the knife. They both went together. 7 Isaac spoke to Abraham his father, and said, “My father?”He said, “Here I am, my son.”He said, “Here is the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?”8 Abraham said, “God will provide himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they both went together. 9 They came to the place which God had told him of. Abraham built the altar there, and laid the wood in order, bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar, on the wood. 10 Abraham stretched out his hand, and took the knife to kill his son.11 The LORD’s angel called to him out of the sky, and said, “Abraham, Abraham!”He said, “Here I am.”12 He said, “Don’t lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him. For now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.”13 Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and saw that behind him was a ram caught in the thicket by his horns. Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 Abraham called the name of that place “The LORD Will Provide”. As it is said to this day, “On the LORD’s mountain, it will be provided.”15 The LORD’s angel called to Abraham a second time out of the sky, 16 and said, “ ‘I have sworn by myself,’ says the LORD, ‘because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 that I will bless you greatly, and I will multiply your offspring greatly like the stars of the heavens, and like the sand which is on the seashore. Your offspring will possess the gate of his enemies. 18 All the nations of the earth will be blessed by your offspring, because you have obeyed my voice.’ ”19 So Abraham returned to his young men, and they rose up and went together to Beersheba. Abraham lived at Beersheba.