June 15th, 2025: Abraham Makes and Offering | Genesis 22:1-14

By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. (Hebrews 11: 17-19).

The word of God is an amazing book. One can read and find many word pictures and accounts that add layer upon layer to our depth of understanding.  It is a book that is God breathed, and Spirit filled. It will never go out of date. It reveals to every generation the very heart of God, and the person of Jesus. Today our lesson is about an altar.  In Genesis chapter 4, at the first recorded altar, Cain and Abel showed us what God would respect as a sacrifice for sin.  God introduced the ideas of blood (life), sin (death), and mankind’s choice to obey God or to refuse His counsel and disobey.  God loves His creation. We see he is longsuffering despite our choices.  In Genesis Chapter 8, following the flood, Noah built an altar.  The washing away by the flood judgement reshaped the world but it did not remove the curse of sin. Sin separates us from God. An altar is necessary; the plan of salvation is based on a perfect sacrifice. Each Old Testament altar points a little more clearly to the coming of Christ.The scripture is like a holy canvas with God as the artist.  

And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.

There is much debate about the use of the word “tempted.”  The Bible says plainly that God tempts no man to sin but rather when man is tempted, he is drawn away by his own lust.  God  is not tempting Abraham to do evil.   God is, however, putting Abraham in a place of testing- to wrestle with a situation and to make a choice.  My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. (James 1:2-3).  

The previous chapter says Abraham called upon the Everlasting God.  Now we find out if Abraham is willing to do what the Everlasting God asks him to do. Can Abraham obey when the request is confusing, and difficult?  Is the Everlasting God all that Abraham needed? Is He all you need? Watch as the pieces fall into place to create a very personal accounting of obedience and trust. The name Abraham means “the Father is exalted.” We see in Abraham a flawed man but a friend of God. And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. (James 2:23). The trial of Abraham’s  faith reveals the very heart of God.  It will exalt the Father,  and introduce his descendants to the God that provides.  

And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him. Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.

So what does God ask…. the unthinkable!  Go to the land of Moriah and sacrifice the son of promise.  Yes, the same son that God miraculously gave to Abraham and Sarah in their old age.  The very son that they were told would make their descendants as the stars in the sky and the sand on the sea shore in number.  We immediately understand the confusion and, feel the grief,  but can we see the shadow of things to come? What scripture does not record and we don’t hear are Abraham’s thoughts.  We don’t hear his questions.  We don’t hear how he tries to think through the promises that God had already made known to him about this son. We don’t get to hear any of this personal grief, but what we do hear, is that Abraham got up and took what he needed to go to the place God told him to go.  It was a three-day journey with his son and servants but he went. Had he figured it all out? Was he absolutely certain he would bring Isaac home.  Hebrews implies that he did.  

And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.

They arrive at their destination. Hesitation is not recorded.  Fear is not recorded. That is not to say that there wasn’t some of both going on, we simply are not told. However, Abraham tells those with him that he is going up on the mountain to worship and that they will be back. Abraham knows God.  He has seen God in action.  Abraham’s actions will show not only His faith but the faithfulness of the one he obeys.  Consider that most pagan gods require human sacrifice.  The servants, will see that the one true God is nothing like the false gods.  Consider also,that there are two servants. God’s pictures are fine and exquisite art.  It is worth the pondering because both the nation of Israel (under the law) and the church (Grace) will turn toward the sacrifice of God’s only begotten son.  

And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together. And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.

There is no doubt in these verses that a true burnt offering is intended.  Everything that is needed has been taken with Abraham to this designated place.  Isaac is old enough to know the process (implying that he has seen this practice before) and asks a very important question “ Where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham’s answer “God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering.”  Truer words have never been spoken.  God will and did provide the lamb. This account allows us to see that this altar represents much more than what is on the surface. There will be many deceivers but this sacrifice was planned before the foundation of the world. Jesus is the ultimate, once for all, offering, given in our place, for the atonement of sin.  He was in obedience to His Father and He walked up this same hill (Moriah/Calvary) on His way to the cross. 

And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen.

God the Father would allow the death of His only begotten son; however, he will not require this of Abraham.  Abraham’s offering was but a picture of the love of the Father and the Son of God  to come.  Abraham was only required to be faithful and obedient. He was required to trust what he already knew about God with something he could not understand.  God substituted a ram caught in the thicket.  Abraham used that ram to sacrifice and praise the Everlasting God who also has now revealed yet another of his many attributes and names.

We added verse 14 because it just can’t be left out. And Abraham called that place – Jehovah Jireh, meaning God will provide.  Abraham knew God and believed God as the one from everlasting to everlasting.  Now he gets to know Him on a more personal level.  He is the God that provides.  There is a debt we owe that we cannot pay.  Not only does he provide the sacrifice, he frees our debt through our acceptance of His son. There is nothing we have or truly need that God does not freely provide when we are in submission to His will and have faith. 

In conclusion, how well do you know God?  Is He just out there- someone that you hear about and call upon when you need something?  Is he personal and real in your everyday life?  For Abraham as it should be for us, the pictures He weaves, should help us sneak a peek at his majesty and power.  He isn’t waiting to zap us dead when we fail. He simply wants us to walk and live in faith. To trust. To know that He is enough. He is actually more than enough. Trust Him when you simply cannot understand the plan or the path you are on. Look to his word for his promises of redemption, forgiveness, faithfulness, and truth.  Build your own altar.  Not something made of wood or stone, give him the altar of your heart. Can you trust Him that much?  Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. (Epehesians 3: 20-21).

Thank you for studying with us! God bless!