Genesis 22:1-19 Abraham’s Test

Introduction

I. COMMAND RECEIVED—vv. 1–2

A. The test—v. 1. God called Abraham. He answered, “Behold, here I am.” In other words, “What do you want me to do?” Are you living near enough to God to hear His voice?

B. The task—v. 2. God asked Abraham to take his only son, Isaac, who was born when Abraham was about ninety-nine years old, and to use him as a sacrifice on Mount Moriah.

Sometimes God asks us to do hard things. However, let’s be willing to do what God asks.

II. COMMAND RESPECTED—vv. 3–10

A. Preparation—vv. 3–4. Abraham took his son Isaac, and started on the trip to Mount Moriah to sacrifice him on the altar.

B. Plan—vv. 5–6. Abraham obeyed the Lord fully. He asked no questions. No excuses were made. Abraham trusted God. We should never have any doubts as to what God tells us to do.

C. Problem—v. 7. Isaac asked “Where is the lamb?” He didn’t know what God had told Abraham to do.

D. Provision—v. 8. Abraham told Isaac, “God will provide a lamb.” What faith! What complete trust in God. Abraham knew God had promised him a son, and that through this son all the people of the earth would be blessed. Now he is asked to make him a sacrifice. Abraham knew that God would work something out.

E. Procedure—vv. 9–10. Abraham began to follow through the plan of God. He went so far as to raise the knife to slay Isaac.

III. COMMAND REMOVED—vv. 11–19

A. Surrender—vv. 11–12.

1. Call—v. 11. God called to Abraham from heaven. God speaks to man if his heart is open.

2. Consecration—v. 12. God saw Abraham’s consecration. He knew Abraham loved God more than his son, and He stopped the sacrifice.

B. Substitute—vv. 13–14. Abraham looked and saw a ram caught in the bushes. He is a picture of Christ, the Lamb of God, our sacrifice. Here God is called Jehova-Jireh, meaning “The Lord will provide.” God always makes provision for man (Phil. 4:19).

C. Seed—vv. 15–19. God again promised Abraham that his seed would be as the stars of the sky and the sands of the sea. Through him all the families of the earth would be blessed.