Here I AM (Genesis 22:1-19)

Introduction

Genesis 22 narrates the gripping story of Abraham's obedience to God's command to sacrifice his son Isaac. This passage serves as a pivotal moment in Abraham's life, showcasing not only his steadfast faith but also the profound struggle between trust and personal loss, ultimately revealing God's redemptive plan through obedience.

1. Purpose of Divine Testing

Genesis 22:1–5

Genesis 22:1–2 “After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he answered. “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.””

This section starts off by telling us that GOD TESTED ABRAHAM. Not satan or the world but God. Abraham was close enough to God that he heard him call and responded Here I am. Letting the Lord know that he was fully available to be used by Him. What about you? Are you at a place with God that you can recognize his voice and hear his call? Not only hear the call but respond in such a way that lets the Lord know you are wholly available for his use. The LORD then tells Abraham, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love got to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.” Now to us this is confusing because we know that Jehovah is not about human/child sacrifice. So why would he tell Abraham to do such a thing? He does such a thing because it is a a foreshadowing of the death of his own son Jesus Christ.

How does Genesis 22:2 foreshadow Christ’s sacrifice?

Genesis 22:2 establishes a typological pattern that resonates throughout New Testament interpretations of Christ’s redemptive work. Isaac, identified as Abraham’s “only son,” foreshadows Christ as God’s “only begotten son,” whom God sacrificed for our sins.[1] This parallel extends beyond mere numerical uniqueness—the sacrifice of the beloved son also anticipates Christ as God’s “beloved son” offered on the cross for our sins.[1]

However, the typology contains a crucial inversion. While Abraham, like God the Father, was willing to give up his son, God prevented Abraham from completing the sacrifice—making the typology partial or inverted—with Jesus alone as God’s Son fulfilling what Isaac foreshadowed but could not accomplish, and what the substitutionary ram only temporarily supplied.[2] The passage anticipates God substituting his only son for all humanity as the perfect sacrifice, a connection John recognized when introducing Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.[3]

[1] John G. Butler, Analytical Bible Expositor: Genesis (Clinton, IA: LBC Publications, 2008), 204–205. [2] Jason S. DeRouchie, “Redemptive-Historical, Christocentric Approach,” in Five Views of Christ in the Old Testament: Genre, Authorial Intent, and the Nature of Scripture, ed. Brian J. Tabb, Andrew M. King, and Stanley N. Gundry, Counterpoints: Bible and Theology (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2022), 192–193. [3] Allen Ross and John N. Oswalt, Cornerstone Biblical Commentary: Genesis, Exodus (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2008), 143.

Genesis 22:3–5 “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. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 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.””

We see that Abraham got up early got ready, got two of his young men ready and his son. As he was going he was most likely riding his donkey, had the young men carrying the wood according to one commentator. Then about three days into his journey he may have gotten word from God himself on where to worship. When I hear the term on the third day the first thing that comes to mind is the resurrection. Abraham looks up and sees the place in the distance. This so reminds me of the feeling Christ must have had looking onward and seeing Golgatha. What did it look like to go and worship?

In Abraham's day, worshiping God was an act of courage. Sacrificing a prized lamb or a cherished goat was both a personal and communal declaration of faith. Families would gather, elders leading the charge, and there was an electric tension in the air as they understood what was at stake in their worship. Their sacrifices were not just rituals but statements of trust—even as they laid their offerings on the altars, they believed for a future that promised blessings and a nation set apart. This act taught the generations to come about God's provision and their need for Him.

Then look at the faith of Abraham. He tells the young men “then we’ll come back to you.” We’ll come back he had nothing to sacrifice on the altar except Isaac but he believed his son would return with him. That requires faith. How is your faith looking lately? Is it looking like that of Abraham or some thing lesser? Be encouraged God grants us faith. Ephesians 2:8–9 “For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—not from works, so that no one can boast.” Even Abraham could not boast.

2. Peak of Surrender

Genesis 22:6–12

Genesis 22:6–7 “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. 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?””

As we look here we see that Isaac is able to carry his on wood for the sacrifice about to be made of himself. This foreshadows so much of the walk that Christ was going to take from the city to the mountain. Carrying his cross. On which he would be slain for our sins. As they were walking on the way Isaac called out “My Father” And Abraham replied, “Here I am, my son.” Bruce Watlke says,

Genesis: A Commentary Abraham’s Compliance with the Instructions (22:3–10)

By the repetition of “father” and “son” the narrator relentlessly emphasizes the precious relationship.

Isaac gets curious realizing that the offering was missing something the fire and the wood are here where is the Lamb…? This sets up the scene for vs 8.

Genesis 22:8“Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” Then the two of them walked on together.”

What we see here is Abraham’s response to Isaac’s question about where is the sacrifice for the burnt offering. And it is faith filled like several things in Abrahams life. His response is PERFECT! God himself will provide the Lamb for the burnt offering. That is an act of faith if I have ever seen one. To take one of the few people you love to a mountain God has told you to go to and then you are supposed to offer them as a sacrifice but you don’t have the heart to tell them that. So instead you say God will provide and continue walking on.

Genesis 22:9 “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.”

Take a moment and imagine with me if you would if you have children especially a son, whom you love dearly. You have prayed for him to grow in to a strong and Godly young man, he is obedient and loving. And the LORD himself comes to you and tells you to sacrifice him on an altar for his glory. What do you do? I know for me with either of my boys it would be challenging, despite the hard times I may have at times like all parents I love them deeply and would hate to do them harm I want whats best for them not harm. We see Abraham here builds the altar of sacrifice and arranged the wood. Then he did one of the hardest things any father has ever had to do. He BOUND HIS SON there is a term in the Hebrew that is only used here about this action. It is actually cause for a lot of conversation. Now something else to keep in mind is that Isaac my very well have been a teenager. Do you know what teenagers tend to have STRENGTH. Right now my youngest son in stronger than I am. So for me to bind him up he would have to willing to allow it. Think of all that was going through their minds during this time.

Genesis 22:10 “Then Abraham reached out and took the knife to slaughter his son.”

Here we see the drama ensuing IT would seem that we have reached a climax to the story. Abraham takes the knife and prepares to take his sons’ life. That ladies and gentle is total obedience.

750 Engaging Illustrations for Preachers, Teachers and Writers 464: Obedience

In Discipleship Journal author Elaine Creasman writes:

Pursuit of “good things” can hinder obedience. It has been said that “the good is the enemy of the best.” I think of times my husband has asked me to do one thing for him during the day. When he gets home from work, I tell him all the good things I have done. But the question he always has for me is, “What about the thing I asked you to do?”

Many times I have answered, “I forgot,” or “I didn’t have time.” Or I’ve dismissed his request as trivial.

God asks that same question of us: “What about the thing I asked you to do?”

I’m sure Abraham could have thought of a lot of good things to do instead of taking Isaac to be sacrificed. But I see no excuses in

I wonder how many of us hear God speak to us and treat it as trivial or don’t even realize that it is the voice of God because we are not spending enough time with him.

Genesis 22:11–12 “But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” He replied, “Here I am.” 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.””

As we look at these verses notice that the angel called to Abraham twice to connote the urgency of the call. MAKING SURE TO GET HIS ATTENTION! Like when I use my boys full names. They know something is up then. For the third and final time Abraham will use the phrase Here I AM. To either God or Isaac. After Abraham’s response the angel says NOW I KNOW THAT YOU FEAR GOD. For some this has brought to question the omni’s of God. I don’t think it should. God still knows all, I like how Waltke says it,

Genesis: A Commentary God’s Approval of Abraham’s Compliance (22:11–19)

The narrator does not wrestle with God’s omniscience, which entails that he knew Abraham’s faith commitment beforehand. Instead, he focuses upon the reality that God does not experience the quality of Abraham’s faith until played out on the stage of history (cf.

You know who else did not with hold their only son? God the Father. He sent his Son Jesus Christ who would be the ultimate sacrifice. The father’s hand would not be stayed against Jesus he would feel the full wrath of the worlds sin on him at Calvary. He would die a brutal death, bloody and beaten, hung on a cross, buried in a borrowed tomb, raised on the third day as promised, to ascend to heaven to one day return for his own.

3. Provision in Sacrifice

Genesis 22:13–19

Genesis 22:13 “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.”

We see the Lord showing up and showing off on behalf of Abraham and Isaac. Abraham had the faith that the Lord would provide and what happened was true to form of that. With the provision that was made Abraham was able to worship the Lord properly.

Genesis 22:14 “And Abraham named that place The Lord Will Provide, so today it is said, “It will be provided on the Lord’s mountain.””

It is said that Abraham called the place Jehovah Jireh. Where have you seen the Lord providing for your needs lately? Where has he met you? Have you been seeking him for who he is or just for what he can offer? I will often times try and pray Lord let me seek your face before I seek the gifts of your hand.

Genesis 22:15–16 “Then the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven 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,”

Here we begin to get a clear picture of what the whole purpose of this testing was all about OBEDIENCE! Because Abraham obeyed we will see the blessing in the coming verses. But in these verses it says, “Because you have done this thing and not withheld your only son,” The son of promise that is. This will be the last time in Genesis that the Lord speaks to Abraham. Dr. Tony Evans says,

The Tony Evans Bible Commentary D. Isaac: Birth, Sacrifice, and Quest for a Wife (20:1–24:67)

The author of Hebrews points out that [in verse 16] God makes an oath: By myself I have sworn (see

Genesis 22:17–19 “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. And all the nations of the earth will be blessed by your offspring because you have obeyed my command.” Abraham went back to his young men, and they got up and went together to Beer-sheba. And Abraham settled in Beer-sheba.”

HEAR the OATH, “I WILL INDEED BLESS YOU” How will he be blessed? A man who was old and had the child of promise is said to have offspring as numerous as the stars of the sky and the sand of the seashore. Your offspring will possess the city gates of their enemies. The enemies gates was to be understood as the land that was not theirs. All because the man was faithful to be obedient to the Lord. We are even told that because it says because you obeyed my command. What would be different about our lives if we were more obedient to the Lord’s leading?

As we prepare to wrap up if you do not know the Jesus I spoke of earlier I invite you to come and get to know Him. He makes all the difference in the world in life. He does not stop the storms of life but will provide shelter in them.