A Study of Genesis 22:1-18

Introduction

It is, without a doubt, known to all in the religious world that Jesus had to die on the cross for the forgiveness of sins. We know that His death was a sacrifice; a perfect sacrifice that was given once for all time (Heb. 7:27; 9:12, 28; 10:10).

It is also considered a murder as Peter speaks of this before the Sanhedrin, But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. “The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. (Acts 5:29-30) The reason it was considered murder, is that it was done by “lawless hands” (Acts 2:23). In other words, the people had the Romans do their “dirty work”.

Going back in the Old Testament, the story of Abraham and Isaac, from Gen. 22 is considered by some as God commanding the murder of Isaac, Abraham’s son. This article will discuss that very subject; was it murder or a sacrifice?

A Little Background

We are first introduced to Abraham (Abram, at the time) in Gen. 11:27-31. God came to Abram in chapter 12; told him to pack up everything and head out to a place that he would be shown (Gen. 12:1-4). Abram was 75 at that time; he had no children as his wife, Sarai was barren. Notice what God said in verse 2, I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. (Genesis 12:2).

God made a promise to Abram that he would make him a great nation. However, to be able to do that, he would need a son. Abram and Sarai attempted to help God out when Sarai gave Abram her handmaiden, Hagar, to bear a child. She succeeded, giving birth to Ishmael (chapters 16-17). However, he was not to be the son of promise as God told him that He would make it happen.

Sarah gave birth to Isaac when she was 90; Abraham was 100 at the time (Gen. 21:1-5). They were promised the birth of a son just the year before when they were visited by the Lord in the guise of three men (Gen. 18:1-15).

That Fateful Day

As chapter 22 unfolds, God comes to Abraham, Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” (Genesis 22:1-2)

Isaac wasn’t an adult yet, nor was he married, nor has he produced any offspring. The question in Abraham’s mind might have been, ‘If I sacrifice my son, how will I be made a great nation as God promised?’ This is speculation of course. Abraham did as he was told and took some others with him and traveled 3 days to place where God had shown him.

In verse 5, we see Abraham’s faith in God, And Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you” (Genesis 22:5). This is what people overlook when they accuse God of commanding the murder of Isaac. Abraham’s faith was such that he knew that if he had to sacrifice his son, God would raise him from the dead!

Had God commanded Abraham to sacrifice his son, and then allowed Isaac to remain dead, then that would be considered murder. There would have been no purpose for that to have taken place.

As we see in the rest of the story, God stayed Abraham’s hand from killing his son and provided a ram for him to sacrifice instead. The purpose of this was testing Abraham’s faithfulness to God (Gen. 22:12).

Conclusion

It’s ironic how some see Jesus’ death as a necessary sacrifice but not Isaac’s. Both were only begotten sons; something that most seem to forget in regard to Isaac. Yes, there was Ishmael but he wasn’t the son of promise.

As James writes, Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only (James 2:21-24). How strong is your faith?