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The Offering of Isaac

Genesis 22:1-14 is a very significant section in the book of Genesis, in the life of Abraham, and in the life of Isaac. The offering of Isaac is discussed three times in the Bible (Gen. 22:1-14; Jam. 2:2:21-22; Heb. 11:17-19). In James 2:21-22 and Hebrews 11:17-19, this event is discussed in the context of genuine faith. Abraham is the Faith’s Hall of Fame in Hebrews 11, along with many other great servants of faith.

God had made a promise to Abraham, “Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed” (Gen. 12:1-3). This promise was given six times to Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3; 13:14-18; 15; 17; 18:16-19; 22:17-19)

In Genesis 21:2 Isaac is born, and Abraham now has the son he has always wanted, the one that God had promised him. But notice now what the Lord tells Abraham in Genesis 22:2, “Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.” The Lord wants Abraham to sacrifice his precious boy! What would you do in this situation? Would we have the type of faith that Abraham had in this situation?

Let us now observe what the offering of Isaac revealed concerning the faith of Abraham.

The offering of Isaac revealed a faith that would obey. This is affirmed twice in the Scriptures. “By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son” (Heb. 11:17). “Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?” (Jam. 2:21-22). In James 2:14-20, 24 we are informed that a faith without works of obedience is: 1) dead, 2) imperfect, 3) no better than the devil’s faith, and 4) a contradiction to God’s word.

The offering of Isaac revealed a faith that obeyed with exactness. Notice the exactness of God’s directions in Genesis 22:2. God specified what He wanted – a burnt offering, whom He wanted – Isaac, and where He wanted it – Mount Moriah. Friends, Abraham obeyed with exactness!

God gave Noah exact directions as well, and Noah obeyed with exactness. “Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he” (Gen. 6:22). God gave Moses exact directions, “Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount” (Heb. 8:5). Moses obeyed with exactness.

When man does not obey with exactness, serious consequences will result, as was the case with Uzzah (2 Sam. 6:6-7) and Moses on one occasion (Num. 20:8-12). Many today are trying to treat obedience like a game of horse shoes – just trying to be close We must take the greatest lengths possible to obey with exactness. Abraham had a faith that obeyed with exactness.

The offering of Isaac revealed a faith that would obey without question. There would have been plenty that Abraham could have questioned God about, but he didn?t his faith was too strong (Rom. 4:20-22). We should never put a ( ? ) where God has put a ( . ). We should never question the Lord for He always know what is best. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isa. 55:8-9).

The offering of Isaac revealed a faith that would obey regardless of the cost. Oh, what a price Abraham had to pay! Obedience can be a very costly thing. Obedience cost Job everything (Job 1). Obedience cost Moses riches and esteem (Heb. 11:24-27). Obedience cost Daniel his safety (Dan. 6:10-24). Obedience cost Stephen his life (Acts 6:10-24).

There is a cost attached to Christianity as is seen in Luke 14:25-33. We must not teach or practice discount Christianity! We must possess the attitude of David, who declared “neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing” (2 Sam. 24:24). What will obedience cost us? It may cost us our friends, family, a job, and even personal joys and habits. But what ever the cost, it pays to be obedient unto the Lord (Mk. 10:28-31).

Is it any wonder that Abraham is called “a friend of God” (Jam. 2:23)? Are you a friend of God? Do you have a faith that will obey, that will obey with exactness, that will obey without question, and that will obey regardless of the cost? Remember, “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only” (Jam. 2:24).