A TEST
“After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.”
Let’s first draw our attention to the word test here.
Some may scoff at the idea of God demanding Abraham to sacrifice his son on the altar. But, before we get to the command, Moses wants us to first see the motive. God’s intention was never to take the life of Isaac here; it was always to test Isaac’s father.
When we hear the word “test,” our initial thought is probably school. A test in school is intended to examine the quality of one’s knowledge or strength. Although a test can certainly strengthen one’s understanding, it’s not intended to create knowledge or strength; a test is intended to reveal or refine a knowledge that’s already there. Likewise, God isn’t seeking to produce a faith within Abraham here; he’s seeking to reveal the quality of his faith that is already there.
By drawing Abraham’s faith into the light, God is seeking to strengthen and refine it through obedience. Like an expert teacher, God is saying to Abraham, “You’ve been following me for years, Abraham. Show me what you’ve learned.”
The New Testament picks up on this same idea, especially in the book of James— “[2] Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, [3] for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. [4] And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing… “[12] Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” — James 1:2-4,12
This teaches us that, like with Abraham, God will seek to test and refine us through trials. Depending on what’s inside us, fire can either destroy or purify us. Those whose faith resides in Christ, trails will make us more and more like Christ, producing steadfastness, making us perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
So, with the intention of testing Abraham, God says to him, “Abraham!” And Abraham responded, “Here I am.” 2 He said, “Take 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.”
Now, let’s make sure we understand where we are in the story of the Bible. At this point, the Levitical Law has not yet been given. So we need to be careful not to read later categories back into this moment. Instead, in Abraham’s time, a burnt offering signified total surrender and complete worship. Unlike other sacrifices, the animal would be slaughtered and completely consumed by fire. Nothing would be held back. It was an act of worship marked by full devotion, costly obedience, and deep trust in God. So feel the weight of what God is asking Abraham to do here. He is commanding him to offer up the son whom he loves. He’s asking him to lay upon the altar the very son of promise.
This test of God is pressing on the deepest question of Abraham’s heart: What does he love most? What does he trust most?
Up to this point, whenever hardship has come, Abraham’s instinct has often been to rely on himself. When hardship comes, his natural reflex has been to trust in himself. When faced with the threat of death, he shrinks back in fear. When famine strikes, he runs to Egypt. When the Egyptians seem scary, he lies. When the promise seems delayed, he takes matters into his own hands with Hagar. And when there seems to be no fear of God in Gerar, he lies again.
But now, God brings Abraham to a decisive moment— “Who do you love? And who do you trust? Have you learned to trust me, the God you love?” Will Abraham trust God, not just in hardship, but when the very promise of God seems to be in jeopardy? Will he be willing to lay down the son he loves, believing that God will still be faithful?
Church, these two questions are important for us to answer, as well. Who/what do you love most? And are you willing to obey God, no matter what that might mean for you?
Romans 12 says to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Are you willing to do this day after day?
Let’s see what Abraham does as a response to God’s command— “3 So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. 4 On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. 5 Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.” 6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together.”
There are a few of details here worth slowing down to notice.
PROMPT OBEDIENCE
First, this is the third chapter in a row where we see someone “rise early in the morning” to do what God has said. This reminds us that faith doesn’t delay. When we encounter a command from God, we “rise early in the morning to do it.” Early that morning, Abraham prepared himself for obedience. The command was given, and without hesitation, he set out on the path toward obedience.
THREE DAYS
Second, notice the distance of the journey— “On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar.” This wasn’t an immediate one day journey. For three days, Abraham walked with this command hanging over him. For three days, he carried the weight of what God had asked, moving step by step toward the place where his son would be offered. For three days, he was operating out of the reality of the death of his son.
Feel the tension of that. Every mile walked is a step closer to what seems unthinkable. Every night he laid his head down to sleep next to his son, his son seemed to be as good as dead. I cannot fathom the struggle Abraham must have felt during this these three days.
In addition to feeling the tension of this, I hope we also see the faint echos of the gospel here. In verse 2, the sentence of death was spoken over Isaac— “Offer him there as a burnt offering.” And for three days, Abraham walked in the shadow of that sentence. In a very real sense, Isaac was as good as dead to him.
But, on the third day, everything changed. On the third day, God provided a substitute. On the third day, death was defeated.
Does that sound familiar? In the same way, the Father would one day offer his beloved Son, Jesus. Jesus Christ would be laid upon the altar of the cross. And for three days, he would lay in the tomb, seemingly swallowed up by death. But, on the third day, death would be defeated as he rose again.
What Abraham experienced was a faint shadow of what Christ would one day accomplish on the cross.
TWO MEN
Third, notice how many men are on this journey with Abraham and Isaac— “So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac.”
This is a small detail. But, one worth noticing. Abraham does not walk this road alone.
I think this detail shows us that this story is true. For a testimony to stand in court, multiple witnesses needed to be present. Therefore, these two men were mentioned to support the actuality of this story.
I think it also shows us the beauty of community. Obedience is difficult. But, obedience doesn’t have to be lonely. The beauty of the Christian faith is that we can bring others with us as we follow Jesus. Two men accompanied Abraham as he moved toward the place of sacrifice.
But, also notice the subtle parallel to the cross here. I don’t want to stretch things too much here. But, notice the similarities to when the Father gives up his beloved Son, Jesus. John 19:17-18 says, “So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called the place of a skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them (Jn.19:17-18).” So, in the same way that Isaac moved toward the altar between two young men, Jesus was nailed to the cross between two men, one on either side. What Isaac experienced in shadow, Jesus experienced in reality. What Isaac experienced in part, Jesus experienced in full. As God’s grand story of redemption unfolded, Jesus, the beloved Son, was led to the place of sacrifice, surrounded by others. And he was nailed to the cross between two men.
GONE TO WORSHIP
Fourth, I want you to notice what Abraham said they were going to do— “Then Abraham said to his young men, ‘Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.”
There are two parts of his statement that are worth highlighting. First, what they were going to do on the mountain: “worship.” Second, who would return from the mountain: “[I and the boy will] come again to you.”
Although worship has happened before this point, this is the first time this word ‘worship’ is mentioned in the Bible. So, this helps us define what worship truly is.
If Abraham was going onto the mountain with his son to worship, then that teaches us that worship isn’t simply a feeling or a song. Worship is trust expressed through surrender. It’s a declaration, through action, that God is worthy of our obedience, even when his commands seem difficult to understand. Worship is more than singing; it is trusting and obeying God through our actions.
Notice how rooted in faith Abraham’s worship is here– “I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.’”
Although Abraham isn’t sure how God will be faithful; he is sure that God will be faithful. The only thing Abraham is certain of at this point is that God cannot lie. He is sure that the LORD will be faithful and sure to keep his promise.
Remember, again and again, God has spoken that a son will come through Sarah. Over and over God has said that Issac will be the one in whom a nation will be born. Time and time again, God has promised that through Isaac, all the families of the earth will be blessed. From Genesis 12, to 15, to 17, to 18, to 21… God has consistently confirmed that Isaac will be the child of promise.
So, as Abraham approaches this mountain, he’s willing to obey because he knows God will be faithful to his promise. The man who is about to walk up the mountain to sacrifice his son is prepared to walk back down the mountain with his son.
He’s unsure about how this will happen. But, he knows that it will happen!
The book of Hebrews tells us that, “He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.”
In other words, Abraham reasoned that even if Isaac died, God’s promise couldn’t fail. Somehow, the God who gave Abraham a child in his old age would keep his child in his old age. At the very least, God would raise him back from the dead. God would keep His word: “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.”
God’s promises prompted costly worship within the life of Abraham. So, for us, the more we immerse ourselves in God’s word, clinging to his promises, the more we will begin to worship him in our lives. We’re able to worship God best in our lives when we know God’s promises most in our hearts.
SILENT OBEDIENCE
Fourth, I want you to notice who carries the wood up the mountain in verse 6— “And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together.”
This detail gives us a glimpse into Isaac’s strength and stage of life. While the text does not tell us his exact age, the fact that he is able to carry the wood suggests that he is no longer a small child. He appears to be a young man, perhaps a young teen or even a young man in his twenties. Either way, he’s old enough and strong enough to bear the weight of the offering up the mountain.
And I want you to notice that Isaac goes willingly with his father. Outside of his question about the lamb, there is no resistance recorded. He silently walks in submission, carrying the wood for the sacrifice.
Again, this is a subtle foreshadow toward Jesus on the cross. The prophet Isaiah says this about the suffering servant, “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.”
The apostle John connects the dots further to Jesus by saying that he went willingly, “bearing his own cross, to the place called the place of a skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha (Jn.19:17).”
So, in the same way that Isaac carried the wood up the mountain in silence and submission, Jesus silently and willingly carried his cross all the way to completion. Issac carrying the wood up the mountain was a shadow to Jesus carrying his cross up the mountain. He walked in perfect obedience as the true lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world.
Let’s continue to read.
“[9] When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. [10] Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. [11] But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” [12] He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” [13] And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. [14] So Abraham called the name of that place, “The LORD will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided.”
Notice the heart of the test here is revealed in the words, “For now I know that you fear God.” The test was to determine whether or not Abraham feared God above all things. The man who once feared man has learned to now fear God. The man who once feared death has now learned to fear the one who possesses power over death. “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.”
Notice also what’s different in how God describes Issac here in verse 12 with how he described him in verse 2. “…you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me (v.12).” “Take your son, your only son Issac, whom you love (v.2).”
The difference here is love. Abraham doesn’t love Issac any less at this point in time. But, it’s been made known that Abraham loves God more. This test has revealed that Abraham’s ultimate allegiance is to the Lord. He fears and loves God most. He loves the giver of the gift more than he loves the gift itself. He loves the one who made the promise more than the promise itself. No matter how precious the gift is, it could never take the place of his love for God.
Church, what has your heart?
Jesus himself says In Luke 14:26, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.”
So, do you love God so much that your love for family looks like hate? Are you willing to leave your father and mother to follow after Jesus? Do you love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength? And love your neighbor as yourself? Who has your heart today? Who has your allegiance?
Here we find a turning point in the story. God provided a substitute. He provided a ram caught in the thicket. Isaac didn’t die because another was given in his place. On this mountain, the LORD provided. And, like with Isaac, the ram serves as a shadow of Jesus. What the ram accomplished in part, Jesus accomplished in full. Like the ram, Jesus died in our place on the cross. He took what we deserved so that we can receive what we don’t deserve, forgiveness and life.
Isaiah 53:5-6 says, “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed… and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
2 Corinthians 5:21 likewise says, “For our sake he made him to be sin who know no sin…”
1 Peter 3:18 says, “Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous…”
So, yes, Jesus died for our benefit. But, he didn’t simply die for our benefit; he died in our place. In the same way that the ram died in the place of Isaac, Jesus died in our place. And in the same way that the ram was secured by his horns being caught in the thorns, Jesus was crowned with thorns. Jesus is the greater ram offered in our place. He is the once for all sacrifice for sin.
[15] And the angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time from heaven [16] and said, “By myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, [17] I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, [18] and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.” [19] So Abraham returned to his young men, and they arose and went together to Beersheba. And Abraham lived at Beersheba.
[20] Now after these things it was told to Abraham, “Behold, Milcah also has borne children to your brother Nahor: [21] Uz his firstborn, Buz his brother, Kemuel the father of Aram, [22] Chesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidlaph, and Bethuel.” [23] (Bethuel fathered Rebekah.) These eight Milcah bore to Nahor, Abraham’s brother. [24] Moreover, his concubine, whose name was Reumah, bore Tebah, Gaham, Tahash, and Maacah.”