Introduction: Let us view Genesis from the perspective of the Israelites in Egypt. This specific event in the life of Abraham is an event that has impacted the Israelites, the Jews, Christians, and even atheists down through the years.
An outline of the biblical text:
22:1-3 – God “tested” (נסה) Abraham. Please observe this shows at the very beginning that God is not commanding in the sense of sanctioning human sacrifice. We do not know how old Isaac is but he is old enough to participate in carrying the wood for the sacrifice and ask about the offering.
22:4-8 – Abraham and Isaac walk together to the sacrifice. “We will worship and return to you.” Both verbs are first person plural. What may have been going through Abraham’s mind at that point? This is not the first time “worship” (הִשְׁתַּחֲוָה) is used in Genesis (cf. 18:2; 19:1) but it is the first time it is translated “worship.” The verb (חוה) means “to bow down.”
The verbs in verse 6 slow down the narrative, building the suspense. It is “consummate story-telling throughout.” Abraham responds in faith: “God will provide.” (cf verse 14). The last phrase in verse 8 is identical, word for word, to the last phrase in verse 6.
22:9-14 – God provides for Himself an offering: Again, the verbs in verses 9-10 slow the action down. We have no hesitation indicated on Isaac’s part. “If Abraham displays faith that obeys, then Isaac displays faith that cooperates,” Hamilton (110). “There is perfect rapport between the two, encompassed as they are in mutual solitariness and enveloped in silence” (Sarna, 152).
God acknowledges that Abraham proved his faith (cf 15:6).
HOW WOULD THE ISRAELITES VIEW THIS EVENT?
God will also “test” (נסה) Israel: Exo 15:25; 16:4; 20:20; Deut 8:2, 16; 13:3.
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The promised land of Canaan was given to Israel based on the oath of Jehovah: Exo 13:5, 11; 32:13; 33:1; Num 11:12; 14:16, 23; 32:11; Deut 1:8, 35. The next time God takes an oath, it will be to keep Israelites out of the promised land: Num 32:10; Deut 1:34.
The key lesson to be learned in this account is the importance of obedience and its subsequent blessings. Israel will be encouraged to obey. Obey (שׁמע) is found 178 times in Exo-Deut. “It was only after Abraham’s obedience to a challenging commandment that he could be called someone who feared God (Kissling, 197).”
Lessons for the present generation:
While God does not tempt anyone to sin: James 1:13-15, He might very well allow us to be tested to see if we will choose to follow Him supremely: Matt 22:37-38.
God does call on us to love Him beyond our love for family: Luke 14:26.
The promises we have in Christ are based on God’s oath: Heb 6:17-18.
“Commandment” (ἐντολή) is found 67 times in the NT; “obey” (ὑπακούω) is found 21 times, not including various synonyms, such as “keep / τηρέω:” 70 times
Paul Holland
