November 22, 2023 – Does the Bible Say…?

“Does the Bible say Abraham was about to kill his only son?”

“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. And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together. 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. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 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.” 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. 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.” And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven and said, “By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 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, and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.” So Abraham returned to his young men, and they arose and went together to Beersheba. And Abraham lived at Beersheba.” Genesis 22:6-19

G-d and Abraham had an interesting relationship. G-d had been making the promise of “numerous offspring” for a long time. But for a long time, Abraham and Sarah had been without a child, except Ishmael. Finally, they had a son together — in their old age Sarah conceived and had a child — they named him Isaac. Finally, the promise of G-d could possibly come to fruition. And then one day, G-d told Abraham, “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”. This would have been a tremendous shock to any parent; to be blessed by a long awaited child, only to have G-d tell you to sacrifice that child — to give him or her back to G-d. The Bible suggests that Abraham did not hesitate for a moment. Abraham took his son up the mountain and prepared to kill him in obedience to G-d’s command. Of course we know that G-d intervened – Abraham did not actually kill Isaac. While Abraham’s faith had been tested, he proved his faith by his obedience to G-d.

We read this account in the Old Testament and we marvel at such faith. It sounds so simple when we read of such faith in the scriptures, but as we all know, it is hard to do the things G-d commands. But for the Grace of G-d that we all receive through the sacrifice of Jesus, G-d’s only Son, we would all be doomed to eternal death. Again, we are reminded that all things are possible for G-d. We are called to live by faith in G-d, not works for G-d.

Pastor Dave