A Test of Faith
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What is the bible?
Sometimes Christians are the worst at answering that question. Many will reply: “The Maker’s Instruction Manual.” Or “God’s Road Map.” Most often religious folk will see it as, essentially, a moral guidebook for right living. But if ever there was a story to explode that misconception it’s this one. Abraham is tested by the LORD:
“And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, 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.” (Genesis 22:1-2)
How on earth are we meant to understand this story? Written in a holy book no less? What’s the moral supposed to be, Go thou and do likewise??
No. Genesis 22 is meant to be read the way the whole bible is meant to be read – first and foremost as a witness to Jesus Christ. And when we read it this way, the whole thing becomes clear.
You see Isaac is a promised seed of Abraham and described as the only beloved son. Most literally this is not true – Abraham has another son – Ishmael. But in the terms of this story Isaac is a prototype of Christ – the seed of Abraham. And he is to be slain as a sacrifice of atonement on a mountain in the region of Moriah. Mount Moriah is the temple mount of Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 3:1).
So here is the only beloved son to be offered by the father on a hill outside Jerusalem to make atonement. Genesis 22:6 tells us of the father carrying the tools of judgement – the fire and knife. The son carries the wood as they trudge up the hill. Isaac asks his father about the sacrifice. Abraham replies prophetically: “God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering” (v8).
On this day the Angel of the LORD intercepts the judgement (v11ff). The name of this divine figure means “the Sent One of the LORD”. He is Jesus Christ preventing the sacrifice that He Himself would embrace two millennia later.
On this day, a ram is provided as a substitute for Isaac (v13). But of course, Abraham had prophesied that a lamb would be provided (v8). That’s what he and all the generations were waiting for in the centuries following – the Lamb of God, the Beloved Son, the Seed of Abraham. God’s provision of atonement was yet future. And so,
Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh [meaning “The LORD will provide”]: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen [or provided]. (Genesis 22:14)
For future generations God’s people would look forward to the Lamb, even knowing the mountain on which He’d be provided.
This is the meaning of Genesis 22 and of the whole bible. It has not been given as an example of right living. Primarily it leads us to Christ. When we see Him provided for us, that’s faith. And out of faith grows right living. We short-cut that process at our peril.
So don’t go thou and do likewise. Look to the Lamb and realise this: Abraham was spared from losing his son. But when the time came, God our Father did not spare His only Son but gave Him up for us all. If this is so, “how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32)
Thanks Glen. You have really identified what I believe is the right manner in which we are to approach sacred scripture – and how this story serves as a type for Christ’s sacrifice. Good intention is essential, and faith is made sure in action. I am reminded of the Apostolic interpretation of this story and the elements highlighted by the authors of Hebrews and James:
By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son” [Hebrews 11:17]
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? [James 2:21] “.
A most difficult and challenging command was the seed planted by God, and Abraham’s obedience in faith was the fruition. It made the promise sure. We are no less called to do the same day by day: for the Apostle said, ” Wherefore … brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election *sure*: for if ye do these things [virtues], ye shall never fall” [2Pe 1:10]
Make thy faith sure, pilgrim.
addendum… On the Art. Many today have gotten a mental image of Issac as a young relatively helpless child. Some treat this story as fictitious and say that it represents some kind of evil child abuse on the part of Abraham. Scripture gives no indication of his age, but Jewish tradition held that he was a full-grown man. “In rabbinical tradition the age of Isaac at the time of binding is taken to be 37 which contrasts with common portrayals of Isaac as a child.” [source The New Encyclopedia of Judaism, Isaac.] His age was reckoned based on Sarah’s death age immediately following this account. I personally accept the elder Issac as true and also as representing more accurately the story presented in scripture and the type for our Lord Jesus Christ.
[...] The faithful would have known that this lamb would be playing the part of the Messiah Himself – the Lamb of God atoning for the sins of the world. (See here for more). [...]
[...] of the Father’s book so that his people will not. (v32) Perhaps now is the time for that long-promised sacrifice from Genesis 22. Perhaps Moses will be the sacrificial Lamb of God dying for his people. But no. It was not [...]
[...] out of the Father’s book so that his people will not (v32). Perhaps now is the time for that long-promised sacrifice from Genesis 22. Perhaps Moses will be the sacrificial Lamb of God dying for his people. But no. It was not [...]