God Will Provide

Introduction

Leading up to God's testing of Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22, the book of Genesis unfolds several key events:

1. Creation and Fall (Genesis 1–3) – God creates the world and humanity (Adam and Eve), but sin enters through disobedience, leading to the fall.

2. The Flood (Genesis 6–9) – Wickedness spreads, and God sends a flood, sparing only Noah and his family.

3. Tower of Babel (Genesis 11) – Humanity rebels again, leading God to scatter them and confuse their languages.

4. Call of Abraham (Genesis 12) – God calls Abram (later Abraham) to leave his homeland and promises to make him a great nation.

5. Covenant with Abraham (Genesis 15, 17) – God promises Abraham descendants as numerous as the stars and establishes circumcision as a sign of the covenant.

6. Birth of Ishmael (Genesis 16) – Abraham and Sarah, doubting God's promise, have a son, Ishmael, through Hagar, Sarah’s servant.

7. Birth of Isaac (Genesis 21) – God fulfills His promise, and Sarah miraculously gives birth to Isaac, the son of the covenant.

8. Hagar and Ishmael Sent Away (Genesis 21:8–21) – Sarah insists that Ishmael be sent away to ensure Isaac’s place as the heir, and God protects Ishmael.

The Branch Exposition of the Bible: A Preacher’s Commentary of the Old Testament 22:1–2. The Test of Obedience

In

Gen 12 - I will make you into a great nation; land promised

Gen 13 - land and great offspring

Gen 15 - offspring like the stars of the sky; time in Egypt foretold

Gen 17 - circumcision, “I will confirm my covenant”

Gen 18 - Isaac promised

1. The Test

Genesis 22:1–8 CSB

1 After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he answered. 2 “Take your son,” he said, “your only son Isaac, whom you love, go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.” 3 So Abraham got up early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took with him two of his young men and his son Isaac. He split wood for a burnt offering and set out to go to the place God had told him about. 4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5 Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go over there to worship; then we’ll come back to you.” 6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and laid it on his son Isaac. In his hand he took the fire and the knife, and the two of them walked on together. 7 Then Isaac spoke to his father Abraham and said, “My father.” And he replied, “Here I am, my son.” Isaac said, “The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” 8 Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” Then the two of them walked on together.

v.1 “God tested Abraham” - what does that remind you of?

The testing of Job

The Book of Jubilees is an ancient Jewish text from the Second Temple period (c. 160–150 BCE). It retells biblical history from Creation to Moses but with added details, interpretations, and a strong emphasis on covenants, angels, and divine laws.

It was highly regarded among certain Jewish sects, including the Essenes at Qumran, but was later excluded from the Jewish and Christian canons

Pseudepigrapha of the Old Testament 17

And it came to pass in the seventh week, in the first year thereof, in the first month in this jubilee, on the twelfth. of this month, there were voices in heaven regarding Abraham, that he was faithful in all that He told him, and that he loved the Lord, and that in every affliction he was faithful. 16 And the prince Mastêmâ came and said before God, ‘Behold, Abraham loves Isaac his son, and he delights in him above all things else; bid him offer him as a burnt-offering on the altar, and Thou wilt see if he will do this command, and Thou wilt know if he is faithful in everything wherein Thou dost try him. 17 And the Lord knew that Abraham was faithful in all his afflictions; for He had tried him through his country and with famine, and had tried him with the wealth of kings, and had tried him again through his wife, when she was torn (from him), and with circumcision; and had tried him through Ishmael and Hagar, his maid-servant, when he sent them away. 18 And in everything wherein He had tried him, he was found faithful, and his soul was not impatient, and he was not slow to act; for he was faithful and a lover of the Lord.

James

Opening Up Genesis The Test

So “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (

v.2 “(please) take...your son, your only son, whom you love”

enclitic particle of entreaty

Softens the imperative ("Take"), making it more of an entreaty or urging rather than a harsh command

Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible Exposition

God called on Abraham to make five great sacrifices: his native country, his extended family, his nephew Lot, his son Ishmael, and his son Isaac. Each sacrifice involved something naturally dear to Abraham, but each resulted in greater blessings from God. Previously, God had called Abraham to cut himself off from his past (12:1); now He called him to cut himself off from his future.

What about child sacrifice?

Child sacrifice was practiced in various contexts beyond ancient Israel, particularly among Canaanite nations. The practice was considered detestable and was strictly forbidden for Israelites, with Moses specifically prohibiting it as a method of appeasing pagan deities or influencing the future[1][2]. Archaeological evidence from sites like Gezer and Taanach has shown that child sacrifice was common among Canaanites, often performed during the laying of cornerstones for houses[3]. The practice was also known among other ancient civilizations, including Carthaginians, Phoenicians, Greeks, and Romans[3]. While generally forbidden in Israelite law, there were instances in Israel's history where human sacrifice occurred, such as during the reigns of kings Ahaz and Manasseh, though these were viewed as deviations from proper practice and were later stopped by reformers like King Josiah[3].

[1] Stephen J. Andrews and Robert D. Bergen, Deuteronomy, Holman Old Testament Commentary (B&H Publishing Group, 2009), 223. [2] Glen S. Martin, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, ed. Max Anders, Holman Old Testament Commentary (B&H Publishing Group, 2002), 222. [3] J. J. Reeve, Williams B. C., “Sacrifice,” in The International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia, ed. James Orr et al. (Chicago: The Howard-Severance Company, 1915), 2647.

What about the firstborn?

In the Old Testament, the firstborn held a special status and was to be devoted to God. This dedication was rooted in the Israelites' redemption from bondage in Egypt[1]. The firstborn of every tribe, except for Levi, was to be redeemed by a payment not exceeding 5 shekels[1]. For animals, the firstborn of ritually clean animals was to be sacrificed at the tabernacle or temple, with its blood sprinkled on the altar and the meat given to the priests[1]. Unclean animals could be redeemed with an additional fifth of their value, or if not redeemed, they were to be sold, exchanged, or destroyed[1]. Initially, the firstborn acted as the family priest in the father's absence or death, but this role ceased when the priesthood was committed to the tribe of Levi[1]. After this change, all firstborn of subsequent generations had to be redeemed, with the redemption money becoming part of the Levites' yearly income[1]. This practice of dedicating the firstborn to God applied to both humans and animals, reflecting their special value in Hebrew society[2][3][4].

[1] R.K. Harrison, “Firstborn,” in Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1988), 791. [2] Kenneth O. Gangel and Stephen J. Bramer, Genesis, ed. Max Anders, Holman Old Testament Commentary (B&H Publishing Group, 2002), 381. [3] GOD’S WORD Translation (Grand Rapids: Baker Publishing Group, 1995). [4] James Swanson and Orville Nave, New Nave’s Topical Bible (Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, 1994).

v.3 “early in the morning” - no delayed obedience

v.4 a three day journey

v.7 “where is the lamb?”

v.8 “God himself will provide the lamb”

The Moody Bible Commentary b. Abraham’s Expression of Faith (22:3–9)

Actually Abraham was not referring to the future provision of a lamb at all. Keeping in mind that the same Hebrew verb form is used for the present as well as future tenses (see comments on 17:1–8), Abraham’s answer may be literally rendered, “God is providing the lamb.” This translation resolves any contradiction, for it is therefore to Isaac that Abraham was referring, that is, Isaac was the “lamb” God was providing. This understanding of Abraham’s response further underscores the typological significance of this event by presenting yet another linkage between Isaac and Jesus, namely, the description of both as a lamb specifically provided by God (

1. Before we experience God’s oath and ‘enter into rest’ we are likely to face a severe test of our obedience

2. God’s test may make no sense to us

3. God’s test may well seem to involve the sacrifice of everything we have lived for

At the same time...there is something unique about Abraham. He is the picture of God the Father sacrificing his own Son.

2. The Provision

Genesis 22:9–14 CSB

9 When they arrived at the place that God had told him about, Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood. He bound his son Isaac and placed him on the altar on top of the wood. 10 Then Abraham reached out and took the knife to slaughter his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” He replied, “Here I am.” 12 Then he said, “Do not lay a hand on the boy or do anything to him. For now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your only son from me.” 13 Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught in the thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram and offered it as a burnt offering in place of his son. 14 And Abraham named that place The Lord Will Provide, so today it is said, “It will be provided on the Lord’s mountain.”

v.11 “the angel of the Lord”

Exodus Excursus: The Angel of the Lord

The term malʾāk yahweh, usually translated “the Angel of the LORD,” appears sixty-seven times in the Old Testament.

Exodus Excursus: The Angel of the Lord

Sometimes an angel is described in terms that can refer only to God, as in the case of

v.12 “now I know that you fear God...” - Abraham has passed the test!

Genesis 11:27–50:26 (3) The Sacrifice to the Lord (22:9–19)

“Fear God” describes the man’s obedience and trust motivated by his love of God (cf.

Deuteronomy 10:12–13 “12 “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you except to fear the Lord your God by walking in all his ways, to love him, and to worship the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul? 13 Keep the Lord’s commands and statutes I am giving you today, for your own good.”

Proverbs 1:7 “7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and discipline.”

v.14 “The Lord will provide”

Genesis: An Introduction and Commentary The Offering of Isaac (22:1–19)

Jehovah-jireh is, apart from the name for God, the expression Abraham had used in 8. Provide is a secondary meaning of the simple verb ‘to see’ (cf. our ‘see to it’), as in

“It will be provided on the Lord’s mountain”

Genesis & Exodus Notes

This little motto that accompanies the commemorative name is deliberately ambiguous. It does not specify the mountain, which would be the mountain God chose, first Sinai, but once in the land, Mount Zion.

3. The Promise (confirmed)

Genesis 22:15–19 CSB

15 Then the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven 16 and said, “By myself I have sworn,” this is the Lord’s declaration: “Because you have done this thing and have not withheld your only son, 17 I will indeed bless you and make your offspring as numerous as the stars of the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your offspring will possess the city gates of their enemies. 18 And all the nations of the earth will be blessed by your offspring because you have obeyed my command.” 19 Abraham went back to his young men, and they got up and went together to Beer-sheba. And Abraham settled in Beer-sheba.

v.15 “the angel of the Lord” (again!)

v.16 “I will indeed bless you”

numerous offspring

“possess the city gates of their enemies”

Historically, it is seen in the victories of the Israelites, especially during the conquest of Canaan and the reigns of David and Solomon.

Spiritually, it finds its ultimate fulfillment in the work of Christ, who conquers the powers of sin and death, and believers in Christ share in this victory.

Eschatologically, it will be fully realized in the new heaven and new earth, where God’s people will experience eternal peace and victory over all enemies.

“all nations of the earth will be blessed”

In Genesis 22:18, God promises that through Abraham’s descendants, all nations of the earth will be blessed. This promise has several layers of fulfillment:

Literal fulfillment through the nation of Israel, which was meant to be a light to the nations.

Ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the true Seed of Abraham, through whom all nations receive spiritual blessing (salvation).

Ongoing fulfillment as the Gospel is spread throughout the world, blessing people from every nation with the message of salvation.

Eschatological fulfillment when all nations experience the fullness of God’s reign in the new heaven and new earth.

In all these ways, the promise to Abraham continues to be realized in history and will be fully realized in the future.

Application points

1. Walk in Faith: Obey God’s commands, even when they are difficult

2. Rest in His Providence: Reflect on God’s past provision in your life and thank Him for His faithfulness.

3. Meditate on Jesus as the ultimate Lamb who was provided for your salvation.