The Near Sacrifice of Isaac (Genesis chp 22)


Abram was descended from Adam and Eve. He was called by God, who promised to make a covenant with him and his descendants, and said that he would be "father of a multitude of nations". In recognition of this covenant, God re-named him as Israel. He was married to Sarah - and despite the fact that they were very old, God granted them a son, Isaac. One day, God told Abraham to take his son to the land of Moriah, and offer him as a burnt sacrifice on a mountain there. Abraham obeyed the Lord, and travelled to the place he was instructed to, taking two servants with him, and also wood for the burnt offering. When the third day of travelling came, Abraham left the slaves guarding the donkey, and went onwards with just his son. Abraham carried fire and the knife, whilst Isaac carried the wood. When they came to the mountain, Abraham built an altar, and bound his son. But as he was raising his hand to murder Isaac, an angel called from heaven and ordered him to stop, because he had proved his trust in God by being prepared to obey his commands, even as far as sacrificing his only son. And, having untied Isaac, Abraham found a ram caught by its horns in a thicket, and offered it as a sacrifice instead of Isaac. The mountain was then named "The Lord Will Provide".

Reward:

As a reward for his faith, God promised Abraham a great number of descendants, equal even to the stars in the sky or the sand on the seashore, and they would even be successful over their enemies. Abraham then went to live in Beersheba.



Themes

• Gift of God - Abraham and Sarah were granted a son by God, even though they were both very old - and then God asked them to sacrifice him!
• Sacrifice - Abraham was being asked to sacrifice what was most dear to him, as proof of his faith in God.
• Consequences and punishment - these are inevitable, if you don't follow the rules.
• Faith and Obedience - by his willingness to make this sacrifice, Abraham was showing supreme faith in, and obedience to, God.
• Covenant - God established a covenant with Abraham.
• Reward - the number and ability of Abraham's descendents was his reward for his faith.
  

Contemporary Issues

• What does sacrifice mean in the modern world?
• Faith.
• Obedience.
• Temptation in the world today.
• Consequences - they can be good as well as bad.

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