THE DEATH OF ISAAC ……Bill Thoughts For Today…

Understanding important truths from the Bible….

Genesis 22:1-2

Now it came about after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 

² He said, “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.”

There are many memorable stories in the Scriptures.  This story of Abraham and Isaac is one of the best known, probably second only to David and Goliath.  It doesn’t seem to be either understood or appreciated for what it teaches.  The whole account from Genesis 22:1 through 22:19 has one central lesson and a number of lesser ones.

First it must be understood what God’s command to Abraham was.  In 22:2 Abraham is told to:  A.  Take his only son, which was a strange statement because Abraham had another son.  But God is speaking to him as the covenant head.  In the covenant God made with Abraham there was one son, Isaac.  B.  Take this son Isaac which you love.  The command is specific as to cause, “whom you love”.  There was nothing wrong with this man’s love for his son.  But the measure of that love was to be tested and it must be limited.

The Lord Jesus in Luke 14:26 applies this to His disciples.  The followers of Jesus must allow nothing to compete with their affection for Him.  The test for Abraham was, was Isaac more important than God.  Abraham was to offer up to God that which he loved most.

Secondly is the example of Abraham’s response.  It was instantaneous, unquestioning, uncomplaining, and complete.  The description of Abraham’s commitment to God’s command is in 22:3 So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him and Isaac his son; and he split wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. 

When we look at the words, “he rose early” it is overwhelmingly plain that a consuming inner passion moved Abraham to obedience.  Nowhere in this account does he show the least reluctance to obey fully.  His faith the same faith that moved Noah to build an ark, led Moses to deny the pleasures of Egypt, gave David confidence to face Goliath, and Daniel to enter the lion’s den, is the same that is required of you and me.  It is the faith of Isaiah 12:2 KJV Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.

Thirdly in Genesis 22:9-10 ⁹ Then they came to the place of which God had told him. And Abraham built an altar there and placed the wood in order; and he bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, upon the wood.¹⁰ And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.

Isaac died.  Abraham had offered up Isaac as God had commanded.  All that God intended, Abraham had done.  He did not need to plunge the knife in the heart of his son.  For Abraham the sacrifice was complete.  Every sacrifice that moment and from that moment to Christ on Calvary was completed there.  The transaction of the Covenant head and the Covenant Son was finished.

There are two other interesting features to Abraham and Isaac’s worship.  In VS 5 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.”   Abraham demonstrates his confidence that he will worship and return.  In this account the substitution of an animal for the reality is established.  The ram is the appointed substitute for Isaac.  This will suffice until the Infinite One is offered and received.

When we look again at Abraham’s statement in 22:5 Abraham is confident that he and Isaac will return.  We know what this means.  The writer of Hebrews in 11:17-19 tells us of the event and then draws a conclusion in VS 19, concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.

Isaac died and God raised him from the dead.  Such was the faith of Abraham.  This is justifying faith, saving faith, keeping faith.  It is faith by which we must die to the world and the world must die to us.  It is the faith that believes the gospel.  Nothing less will God receive.  Nothing else will please Him.

Please read and consider Hebrews 11:6.