“Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him… ‘Take your son, your only son, whom you love – Isaac – and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.’ …he set out for the place God had told him about. ‘The fire and wood are here,’ Isaac said, ‘but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?’ Abraham answered, ‘God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.’ When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, ‘Abraham! Do not lay a hand on the boy,’ he said. ‘Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.’ “(v1-4,7b-12 abr)
This has been a problematic account for many people – why would God ask Abraham to kill his son? It seems like a pretty cruel joke – “I promised to bless you with many descendants, but right now I’ll ask you to kill your only son whom I also promised you.” Does it seem like God is breaking His promises to Abraham?
The Bible doesn’t elaborate on what’s going through Abraham’s head at this point, but we do know his history – God made several promises and contracts with him, all of which were fulfilled so far, including the promise of a son in his old age. We also know that Abraham had a couple of hard life lessons through misleading people and causing them grief, and we know that Abraham experienced God’s abundant deliverance of Lot’s family multiple times (including giving Abraham a victory over four kings and their armies). At this point, it’s probably safe to assume that Abraham is willing to trust God and go along with this plan, even if he doesn’t understand it.
It’s entirely possible that Abraham was hesitant, it’s possible he had doubts, but it’s also possible his faith in God was so strong at this point we was willing to obey unconditionally. It also seems that Isaac was a willing participant in this plan – he was much younger and stronger than his father (we think he’s in his 20s at this point) so he could have outrun or overpowered Abraham, yet he chose not to. It’s seems he has learned the faith of his father.
This account is probably the most powerful the foreshadowing of Jesus’ death on the cross – the Father leading the Son to be sacrificed, the Son a willing participant, knowing that God would provide through this circumstance. Though the outcomes were different, the message is clear.
I love the elaborate symbolism – “the Angel of the Lord” (Jesus) points Abraham toward God’s replacement sacrifice – a lamb with its head caught in a thicket of thorns. Jesus, called the Lamb of God, had a crown of thorns forcibly placed on His head.
This is also where Abraham dubs one of the most powerful names of God – Yahweh Yireh: “The Lord Will Provide”.
Yahweh Yireh, thank you for providing Jesus Christ your Son, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. I can’t imagine how hard it was for you to give your one and only son that we may repent and have everlasting life and a right relationship with you in this present moment. Thank you Father for loving us so much. (Jn 1:29, Jn 3:16, Acts 3:19 par)
~ Conqueror in Training