Abraham and Isaac (The Gospel in Genesis Part 1)

This is perhaps the most misunderstood of all the children’s stories. But the clues that will lead us to a correct understanding are hidden in plain sight right in the passage. Some interpretations of this story explain that our Almighty God is so insecure He will force us to make agonizing choices just to prove we really love Him. Is that the case? Or was there more going on than meets the eye? Let’s find out.

The covenant was unilateral and required no commitment from Abraham to remain in force. (He had put Abraham to sleep during the ceremony.) Also, by calling Isaac Abraham’s only son, it’s clear God didn’t think Isaac was expendable—He intended Isaac as the child of the promise. Surely Ishmael, Abraham’s firstborn would also be blessed, but it was through Isaac that the covenant would be actualized (Genesis 17:19-22). Already an interesting parallel is emerging between what God was asking Abraham to do and what He would later do Himself.

In John 3:16 Jesus is called God’s only son, but is He? Luke 3:37- 38 refers to Adam as the son of God. Adam preceded Jesus in birth order, but Jesus occupies the ceremonial position of firstborn, inheriting all its rights and privileges. He is always referred to as the only Son of God. Ishmael was born to Abraham and Hagar 19 years before Sarah gave birth to Isaac, and according to human law was the legitimate firstborn. But God didn’t recognize him as such. Isaac is called Abraham’s only son.

And then there’s the location—the region of Moriah. Mount Moriah is the place where Solomon would later build the temple (2 Chronicles 3:1). Just north of the Temple area, Jesus would be sacrificed as an offering for the sins of the world, on the same spot where Abraham was being asked to offer Isaac.

On the third day, Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.” Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife (Gen. 22:4-6).

Did God really intend for Abraham to bind Isaac, slit his throat, place him upon the altar, and burn him there? In Deuteronomy 18:9-13 God expressly forbade such an act. Would He ask Abraham to do something against His own law? As the two of them went on together, Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?” “Yes my son,” Abraham replied. “The fire and the wood are here but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together (Genesis 22:6-8).

Hebrews 11:17-19 explains that Abraham did this by faith, knowing all along that God, who cannot lie, had promised him a long line of descendants through Isaac, and yet at this time Isaac had no children. He reasoned that God could raise the dead—and figuratively speaking—he did receive Isaac back from the dead. This was not just an act of blind faith. Being in a covenant relationship with God and knowing His nature and character, Abraham trusted God and placed the outcome in His hands. I believe that along the way God revealed the details to Abraham, enabling him to tell the servants that “we will worship and then we will come back to you.” And to tell Isaac that “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering.” The Lord subsequently did this, (Genesis 22:13) and the innocent ram God provided died in Isaac’s place.

It fascinates me that this entire drama unfolded over three days and three nights. By the way, the word that’s translated boy in Genesis 22:5 means a young man of military age (18-30). And in Genesis 22:8 the word for together means united and comes from a root meaning to become as one. Apparently, Isaac was an adult in on the plan all along and participating by agreement.

Based on these clues, it seems clear that Abraham and Isaac were acting out a prophecy wherein another Father would later give His only Son as an offering for sin on the very same spot. As with Abraham and Isaac, this Father and Son would be doing so by prior agreement—in this case, one made before the foundation of the world was laid. And as God provided an innocent ram to die in place of Isaac, so He would provide the innocent Lamb of God, Who would die in our place. It makes sense then that Abraham named the location Jehovah Jireh meaning on the mountain of the Lord it will be provided. Because it was—on that very place.

Now you know the adult version.