Genesis 22

Genesis 22 recounts one of the most significant moments in the life of Abraham—God’s command to sacrifice his son Isaac. This chapter reveals Abraham’s extraordinary faith and obedience to God, as well as God's provision and promise of blessing. It is a powerful narrative of trust in God's will, testing of faith, and divine intervention. The story also foreshadows Christ’s sacrifice, with Isaac representing a type of Christ.

Genesis 22:1-2 (NKJV)
1 Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.”
2 Then He said, “Take now 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.”

God’s command to Abraham is startling and deeply challenging. Isaac is Abraham's "only son" of promise, the one through whom God's covenant blessings were to be fulfilled. By calling Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, God is testing the depth of Abraham’s faith, asking him to relinquish the very son on whom all his hopes and promises rest. This test would reveal Abraham's complete trust in God, even when the command seems contrary to the earlier promises God made.

Genesis 22:3-5 (NKJV)
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 the wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him.
4 Then on the third day Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place afar off.
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’s immediate obedience is remarkable. He does not hesitate, even though the command is heart-wrenching. His faith is evident in his actions—he prepares for the journey early in the morning and sets out on a three-day journey to the place God designated. Abraham’s words to his servants, “we will come back to you,” suggest that he trusts God to provide a way, even if it seems impossible, as Hebrews 11:19 later reflects that Abraham believed God could raise Isaac from the dead.

Genesis 22:6-8 (NKJV)
6 So Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife, and the two of them went together.
7 But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” Then he said, “Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?”
8 And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” So the two of them went together.

Isaac's question must have deeply touched Abraham, as it highlighted the absence of the sacrifice. Abraham’s response, “God will provide,” not only reassures Isaac but also expresses his unshakable faith in God’s provision. In this moment, Abraham does not fully know how God will provide, but he trusts that God will make a way. This statement also prophetically points to God's ultimate provision of Jesus as the sacrificial Lamb for humanity.

Genesis 22:9-10 (NKJV)
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.

Abraham’s actions demonstrate his complete obedience and surrender to God's will. Even though this was his beloved son, he proceeded to fulfill God's command, trusting in God's greater plan. Isaac’s submission is also significant, as he does not resist or question his father, showing trust and obedience in a moment of great uncertainty. This scene highlights Abraham’s willingness to go to the furthest extent in his devotion to God.

Genesis 22:11-12 (NKJV)
11 But the Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” So he said, “Here I am.”
12 And He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”

At the last moment, God intervenes, stopping Abraham from sacrificing Isaac. The Angel of the Lord (pre-incarnate Christ) acknowledges Abraham’s faith and obedience, showing that the test was about his willingness to trust God, not the actual sacrifice. Throughout the Old Testament, God often orchestrates events as object lessons to reveal deeper spiritual truths. In this case, He allowed Abraham to genuinely experience the emotional burden, sorrow, and stress of nearly losing his only son—mirroring the heart of God the Father in offering His own Son, Jesus Christ, for humanity. Abraham’s journey reflects God’s love and foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice, teaching us the depth of faith and surrender God desires.

Genesis 22:13-14 (NKJV)
13 Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son.
14 And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”

God provides a ram as a substitute for Isaac, highlighting His faithfulness to provide. This act not only saves Isaac’s life but also reinforces the theme of divine provision and mercy. Abraham names the place "The-Lord-Will-Provide," commemorating God's intervention and pointing forward to God’s ultimate provision of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. This event foreshadows the future sacrifice of Jesus, who was offered in our place.

Genesis 22:15-18 (NKJV)
15 Then the Angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time out of heaven,
16 and said: “By Myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son—
17 blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies.
18 In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”

After Abraham’s act of obedience, God reaffirms His covenant with Abraham, promising abundant blessings and the multiplication of his descendants. This covenant is further emphasized with the declaration that “in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed,” pointing to the future fulfillment of this promise in Jesus Christ, who would bring salvation to all nations. Abraham’s faith and obedience lead to a blessing that impacts not only his family but the entire world through Christ.

Genesis 22:19 (NKJV)
19 So Abraham returned to his young men, and they rose and went together to Beersheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beersheba.

This verse marks the conclusion of Abraham’s journey, with him returning to his servants and continuing his life in Beersheba. It represents a return to normalcy after a profound experience of faith, sacrifice, and divine intervention. Abraham's obedience and trust in God had been tested, and he was found faithful, receiving a renewed covenant and the assurance of God’s continued guidance and blessing.

Genesis 22:20-24 (NKJV)
20 Now it came to pass after these things that it was told Abraham, saying, “Indeed Milcah also has borne children to your brother Nahor:
21 Huz his firstborn, Buz his brother, Kemuel the father of Aram,
22 Chesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidlaph, and Bethuel.”
23 And Bethuel begot Rebekah. These eight Milcah bore to Nahor, Abraham’s brother.
24 His concubine, whose name was Reumah, also bore Tebah, Gaham, Thahash, and Maachah.

This closing section provides a genealogical update about Abraham’s brother Nahor’s family. The mention of Rebekah is particularly significant, as she will later play a key role in the story of Isaac. These verses remind the reader of the ongoing life and growth of Abraham’s extended family, and they also introduce characters that will later connect with the promises given to Abraham. The inclusion of Nahor's lineage shows the broader familial context in which the story of Isaac and Rebekah will unfold, setting the stage for future events in Genesis.