Genesis 22:1-24
Gen. 22:1-24
- Locate the passage
This passage is after the call of Abraham, the clarification that Ishmael would not be the child of promise, and the birth of Isaac. Hagar and Ishmael have departed. Abraham trusted in God’s promise of an offspring before any such offspring was given. Now, the “test” is to continue to trust God despite what he doesn’t see.
- Genre
The Passage is a Narrative. The dialogue (and absence of dialogue, at times) is integral to the story. The significance of its historical accuracy is highlighted in 22:20-24.
- Determine the structure of the passage
22:1-2 – God’s testing of Abraham
22:3-9 – The journey to Moriah
22:10-14 – The Substitute: The Lord will Provide
22:15-18 – Abraham Passed the Test: By Myself I have sworn
22:19 – The Return
22:20-24 – The Promise Unfolding
- Exegete the passage
No conversation is recorded between Abraham and Sarah; no conversation recorded between Abraham and Isaac after they left the servants (vs. 8b – “they went together”); no conversation is recorded on their return journey
God tested Abraham – you and I know it is a test; Abraham didn’t
- Hebrew – “nasah” (cf. Ex. 15:25; 16:4; 20:20; Deut. 8:2; etc.)
- When God tested His people, He was determining the depth and quality of their faithfulness to Him
Your son; your only son; the one you love (2, 12, 16)
- Use of the term, “son” points to the severity of the test (3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 12, 13, 16, 16)
- Matt. 3:17; 17:5
- So, at stake is: The Promise of God (a child for Abraham, the Covenant with Israel, the Messiah)
- Gen. 22:16 – your son, your only son
Sacrifice your son “as a burnt offering”
- There is no indication in the text that this is anything other than a literal command
Go to the land where I will show you
- Gen. 12:1 – Go to a land I will show you
- Abraham had heard these instructions before
- 22:4, 9 – “the place” – only God knows the way
Vs. 8 – God will provide – confidence in God’s promise
“The Angel of the Lord” (Gen. 22:11, 15)
- The Angel speaks for God in first person
- A Theophany (Christophany)
Vs. 12 – Now, I know – God is not “discovering” this truth
- The Divine affirmation that the test was passed
Vs. 12 – you “fear the Lord”
- The proper respect for Him
Ill. Use of the word – “to see” (Hb. “ra’ah”)
- Word occurs 5 times in this chapter – Vs. 4, 8, 13, 14 (2X)
Vs. 20 – They told that to Abraham
- You don’t understand yet, but God is starting to fulfill His Word!
Vs. 21- Milcah has also born children …
- vs. 23 – a bride for Isaac!
- God remembered His promise
App. THE LORD WILL SEE TO IT!
- Let the structure of the text drive the sermon
The TEST – God reserves the right to test the faith you and I profess
- Here’s the test – Do you believe God’s promises? (Gen. 12, 15, 17)
- God Promised Abraham descendants as numerous as the stars of the Heavens. But, at this point, he only has one star!
Abraham’s RESPONSE – His faith was demonstrated by what he did and what he said
— Your Response to God’s test is your most effective witness of the faith you profess
Ill. Rom. 4:20 – Abraham did not waver in unbelief …
- What He DID demonstrated his Faith in God
- He rose early
- Note – the Dramatic portrayal – “They walked together” – 3 stages in the text … “So the two of them walked on together” (6, 8, 19)
- What He SAID demonstrated his Faith in God
- Abraham speaks 5 times in the text, but 3 of them are identical “Here I am” – “Here I am” (1, 7, 11)
- He speaks once to the servants in vs. 5 – “The lad and I will return”
- He speaks once to Isaac in vs. 8 – “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.”
- “God will see to it.”
God’s PROVISION
Vs. 14 – “Yahweh yireh” – the Lord will provide
- “The Lord will see to it” (Cf. vs. 8)
- NOTE 14b: this became a proverb to convey the ongoing significance of His provision
Vs. 15 – the Lord spoke to Abraham a third time … I swear by Myself
- There is no higher authority
- 6:13 – Since He could swear by no One greater
- 2 Chron. 3:1 – The Temple marked this spot
Application:
Exp. People may be caused to wonder about the audacity of God’s request
- We have no right to extract the difficulties of the Bible because they make us uncomfortable …
- It is exactly that scandalous request of Abraham that God demanded of Himself
- Only Christ WAS the sacrificial lamb. There was no ram to sacrifice in His place
- Indeed, God will provide for Himself a sacrifice – and that sacrifice was God Himself!
- John 1:29 – “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world”