The Book of Genesis
Part 35
This very important chapter may be considered from at least three different view points: the historical, the typical, and the evangelical. Historically, it deals with the test of the strength of Abraham’s faith. We consider the long wait on the part of Abraham for the birth of Isaac to be a test of the endurance of faith, but the offering up of his well-beloved son a test of the true power of faith.
Typically, the chapter reveals the sacrifice of the divine Father, God giving His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish.
Evangelically, this portion has been used as an illustration to teach the substitutionary work of Christ. Thus the Old Testament provides us with the material by which the doctrines of the New Testament may be elucidated.
The Historical Event (Gen. 22:1-19)
The Apostle James states, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation, for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life” (Jas. 1:12). Abraham’s experience in trial as recorded in this chapter manifests that he was not only filled with exceeding joy by the results of his trial, but also through the fact that he became the channel of great blessing to multitudes. We must examine this extraordinary experience in detail.
The test of faith: The statement, “God did tempt Abraham,” might better be understood, God did test or prove Abraham. The Apostle James differentiates between trial and temptation. He writes, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation (trial)… Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed” (Jas. 1:12-14).
God tries the saint to reveal the very best that is in him; Satan tempts the saint to demonstrate the worst that is in him.
Abraham was tried by God, but not tempted by Him.
The response of faith: There was no hesitancy on Abraham’s part; his response to the voice of the Lord was prompt and complete. He was aware that without faith it is impossible to please God. Notice:
His attention: Throughout the years Abraham had heard the voice of God calling him, and he had learned that only prompt obedience resulted in good; therefore, immediately he said, “Behold, here I am.” He was ready and attentive to the divine summons.
His attitude: The New Testament reveals Abraham’s attitude toward God at this time. We read, “By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac; …accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead” (Heb. 11:17-19). Abraham implicitly trusted in God’s power. God’s promises to Abraham relative to Isaac were so real to him that he believed in their fulfilment even although it meant that God would have to raise Isaac from the dead. To Abraham “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1).
His action: “Abraham rose 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.” The Patriarch did not fail to act upon the word of God. The Apostle James comments upon Abraham’s action, saying, “Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought by his works, and by works was faith made perfect?” (Jas. 2:21-22).
The Sacrifice of faith: Since the day Abraham, in answer to the call of God had entered the land of Canaan (Gen. 12:6-7), he had built a number of altars to the Lord, and beside these altars, God had appeared to him. He, occasionally, had experienced very intimate fellowship with God as he had offered sacrifices. Here again he raises an altar to the Lord, and no doubt enjoys the anticipation of deeper communion with God.
“Abraham bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.” The best and the dearest that life had for Abraham, the gift of God to him in his old age, he sacrificed. By such action he showed that there was nothing he would withhold from the Lord. His act interprets a stanza of one of Isaac Watt’s hymns:
“Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were an offering far too small,
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my heart, my life, my all.”
There was no pretense in this act of Abraham, “Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.” In the same spirit of David who, centuries later, said “Of Thine own have we given Thee,” Abraham, without reservation, gave up Isaac. He gave his very best, and he gave it wholly. How pleasing this must have been to God!
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Just when I need Him, Jesus is near;
Just when I falter, just when I fear;
Just when I need Him most.