Offering Isaac - Genesis 22

1. An expositional study taught by Harry Morgan

2. For those of you online post your comments or questions in the “comment section” on your screen. As time affords they may be read to the class.

3. “If you were to designate the ten greatest chapters of the Bible, you would almost have to include Genesis 22...This chapter compares with Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53. The first time that I saw in this chapter these great truths which depict the cross of Christ, it was breathtaking. Not only in the birth of Isaac, but now also in the sacrifice of Isaac, there is a strange similarity to the life of our Lord.” J. Vernon McGee

4. “This great chapter lies at the very heart of Genesis, and for that matter, at the center and citadel of the entire Old Covenant. The constitution and charter of Judaism and the embryo of Christianity lie side by side here in this inner womb of the O.T. This chapter is not legend, or myth, but the Word of Almighty God. It is not a scissors-and-paste job by five different "redactors" putting together three or four, or five or six, "previous sources." Someone has said that this chapter is welded together like cast iron, and the unity of it is indestructible.” James Burton Coffman

5. 1. What does “after these things” refer to in Genesis 22:1? Literally: “and it came about after these things” Next use is in verse 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: Previous verse: 21:34 And Abraham stayed in the land of the Philistines many days.

6. 1. To what does “after these things” refer? 1) “family test” – leave his loved ones (11:27–12:5) 2) “famine test” – Abraham failed and went down to Egypt (12:10–13:4) 3) “fellowship test” – gave Lot 1stchoice in using the pastureland (13:5–18) 4) “fight test” – defeated the kings (14:1–16) 5) “fortune test” – rejected Sodom’s wealth (14:17–24) 6) “fatherhood test” – impatient with God, listened to Sarah and had a child by Hagar (Gen. 16) 7) “farewell test” – send Ishmael away (21:14–21) Warren Wiersbe, Be Obedient (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books. 1991). pp. 108–109.

7. 2. Does the phrase “God tested Abraham” contradict James 1:13? Explain. James 1:13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. James 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?

8. 2. Does the phrase “God tested Abraham” contradict James 1:13? Explain. James 1:14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Satan Entices God Tests We Tempt External Internal External

9. 2. Does the phrase “God tested Abraham” contradict James 1:13? Explain. 1Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham… (nā·sāh) = attempt to learn the true nature of something Psalm 26:2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove (nā·sāh) me; try my mind and my heart. נ ָ ס ָ ה

10. The Value of Testing 1. Solomon was tested by the Queen of Sheba (1 Kgs. 10:1) 2. Daniel & his companions were tested (Dan. 1:12, 14) 3. Israel was tested by God: • Hunger & thirst in the wilderness (Ex. 15:25; 16:4; 20:20; Deut. 8:2, 16) • False prophets (Deut. 13:4) • Foreign oppression (Judg. 2:22; 3:1, 14).

11. The Value of Testing 1. To purify our faith (1 Pet. 1:6–9) 2. To perfect our character (Jas. 1:1–4) 3. To protect us from sin (2 Cor. 12:7–10)

12. 3. What do 2 Chronicles 32:31, Exodus 20:20 & Deuteronomy 8:2 teach us about the God’s testing? 2 Chronicles 32:31 However, regarding the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, whom they sent to him to inquire about the wonder that was done in the land, God withdrew from him, in order to test him, that He might know all that was in his heart. Exodus 20:20 And Moses said to the people, “Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.”

13. 3. What do 2 Chronicles 32:31, Exodus 20:20 & Deuteronomy 8:2 teach us about the God’s testing? Deuteronomy 8:2 And you shall remember that the LORD your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.

14. 4. Why is the definite article, “the God,” used 4 times in Genesis 22:1-9 and “the Angel of the LORD” mentioned in verse 11? 1Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” ה ִ֔ י ם וְ ה ָ֣ א ֱ - “the God” – “the angel of the LORD” – (hǎ-ělō·hîm) cf. also vs. 3, 8, 9 מ ַ ל ְ אַ ֤ ךְיְ ה וָ ה ֙ (mǎl·ʾāḵ yhwh) “He who requires from Abraham the surrender of Isaac is God the creator…but it is Jahveh in His angel who forbids the extreme act, for the son of promise cannot perish” Franz Delitzsch, Commentary on the Old Testament, 2:91

15. 5. Since Genesis 12:1 God appeared and spoke to Abraham many times, but Genesis 22:1 is the first time God explicitly calls Abraham by name. Why? 1Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” (ʾǎḇ·rā·hām) = exalted father of many nations א ַ ב ְ ר ָ ה ָ ם

16. 6. How did Abraham respond? 1Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” (hin·nēh) = here, with meaning “at your service,” “Sir?” or in Arabic “Ready” (cf., vs. 1, 7, 11) ה ִ נּ ֵ ה Isaiah 6:8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”

17. 7. “Take now” in the Hebrew text is “please take.” What is the significance of adding the word “please”? 2Then 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.” ק ַ ח ־ נ ָ ֠ א (lā·qǎḥ nāʾ) = please take, grasp, lay hold of

18. 8. What are the four terms or phrases used in identifying Abraham’s son? 2Then 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.” “Your only son” ( yĕḥîdĕkā = “your only one” (vs. 2, 12, 16); it is used of mourning an only son (e.g., Jer. 6:26; Amos 8:10) and an only daughter (yĕḥîdâ, Judg. 11:34). א ֶ ת ־ יְ חִֽ י ד ְ e ֤

19. 8. What are the four terms or phrases used in identifying Abraham’s son? Rabbinic tradition elaborates on the four steps: God says, “Take your son.” Abraham answers, “Which one? I have two sons.” So God says, “Your only son.” Abraham answers, “But each one of the two is the only one of his mother.” So God says, “Whom you love.” Abraham answers, “I love both.” So the identification comes, “Even Isaac.” Fruchtenbaum, A. G. (2008). Ariel’s Bible commentary: the book of Genesis (1st ed., p. 352). San Antonio, TX: Ariel Ministries.

20. 9. How is Abraham’s journey with Isaac similar to Hagar’s journey with Ishmael? 9 COMPARISONS 1) Both sons, Ishmael in chapter 21 and Isaac in chapter 22 are in danger. 2) Both sons, “the first borne” of their mothers, were “cast out,” and received a national promise. 3) God’s promise concerning Ishmael to make a nation of him because he was Abraham’s seed (21:13), and God’s promise to make a great nation of Isaac because Abraham did not withhold him (22:16–18).

21. 9 COMPARISONS 4) In both cases Abraham rose up early in the morning to obey (21:14, 22:3). 5) In both cases there was divine intervention in 21:17 when the Angel of God called out to Hagar, reversing the danger, and in 22:11–12 when the Angel of Jehovah called out to Abraham, reversing the danger. 6) In both cases God made provision: in 21:19, water to preserve Ishmael’s life, and in 22:13, a ram to preserve Isaac’s life. 7) In both cases there is something to be seen: In 21:19 Hagar saw the heretofore unseen well, and in 22:13 Abraham saw the heretofore unseen ram.

22. 9 COMPARISONS 8) In both cases the provision is appropriated: In 21:19, Hagar appropriated the water without a specific directive; and in 22:13, Abraham appropriated the ram without a specific directive. 9) In both cases there is the marriage for each son: Hagar, an Egyptian, takes a wife from Egypt for Ishmael in 21:21; and Abraham, the Aramean, will take an Aramean wife for Isaac (24:10). Fruchtenbaum, A. G. (2008). Ariel’s Bible commentary: the book of Genesis (1st ed., pp. 358–359). San Antonio, TX: Ariel Ministries.

23. 10. Genesis 22:2 records the first occurrence in the Bible of the word “love.” Why this is important? 2Then 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.” (ʾā·hǎḇ) love, i.e., have an affection based on a א ָ ה ַ ב close relationship, sometimes in comparison to other persons with a lesser relationship “Whom you love” is not to imply Abraham did not love Ishmael.

24. 10. Genesis 22:2 records the first occurrence in the Bible of the word “love.” Why this is important? Henry Morris notes in his commentary The Genesis Record, that “it's given in the context neither of a husband and wife, nor of a mother and her children, but that of the love of a father for his son.” Morris goes on to point out the first uses of the word love in the Gospels are similar in context. In the first three Gospels, as Jesus begins His ministry and is baptized, God's voice comes from Heaven and says, "This is my beloved Son" (Matthew 3:17; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22).

25. 10. Genesis 22:2 records the first occurrence in the Bible of the word “love.” Why this is important? In the fourth Gospel, we find perhaps the most famous Scripture of all time: “For this is how much God loved the world—He gave His one and only, unique Son as a gift. So now everyone who believes in Him will never perish but experience everlasting life.” (Jn. 3:16, The Passion Bible)

26. 11. Where was Abraham told to go with his son? (22:2) Locate this place on a map. 2Then 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.”

27. 12. What was Abraham told to do when he got there? 2Then 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.”

28. 13. Compare God’s command to Abraham in 22:2 with his earlier command in Genesis 12:1. What do you observe? 22:2 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.” 12:1 Now the LORD had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you.

29. 14. What is required of a burnt offering? Leviticus 1:3 ‘If his offering is a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish; he shall offer it of his own free will at the door of the tabernacle of meeting before the LORD.

30. 15. How did Abraham respond to God’s command? (22:3) 3So 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.

31. 16. Why do you think Abraham included “two of his young men” for the journey? (22:3) 3So 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. John 8:17 It is also written in your law that the testimony of two men is true.

33. 17. Who split the wood? 3So 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. בּ ָ ק ַ ע split, i.e., cut an object into two or more parts (bā·qǎʿ) – divide,

34. 18. Why did Abraham split the wood? Mention of wood is not because of the sparse mountainside, as scholars sometimes surmise; rather it creates an irony in detailing the preparations made for sacrifice, pointing up the absence of the all-important sacrificial subject itself. In fact, unknown to the others, Abraham does bring the sacrificial lamb (Isaac). Mathews, K. A. (2005). Genesis 11:27–50:26 (Vol. 1B, p. 292). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

35. 19. How long was the journey? 4Then on the third day Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place afar off. A day’s Journey = 20 miles 3 days x 20 miles = 60 miles https://www.accordancebible.com/Store

36. 20. Why 3 days? Exodus 3:18 …you shall come, you and the elders of Israel, to the king of Egypt; and you shall say to him, ‘The LORD God of the Hebrews has met with us; and now, please, let us go three days’ journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.’ Exodus 12:3 Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying: ‘On the tenth of this month every man shall take for himself a lamb, according to the house of his father, a lamb for a household. Exodus 19:11 And let them be ready for the third day. For on the third day the LORD will come down upon Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.

37. 21. What is the approximate distance from Beersheba to Jerusalem? – If flying 44.2 miles – If walking 55 miles

38. 22. Where is “the place” on Mount Moriah? 4Then on the third day Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place afar off. (nā·śāʾ) lift up, i.e., cause to move up or lift up an נ ָ שׂ ָ א object to a higher elevation of any amount

39. 23. Where is “the place” on Mount Moriah? 4Then on the third day Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place afar off.

40. 23. Where is “the place” on Mount Moriah?

41. 24. Why did Abraham tell the young men to remain behind while he went alone with Isaac “to worship”? 5And 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.” “Worship” ( “bow down” ח ו ה ת שׁ ה ) =

42. 25. What is the significance of Abraham taking the wood for the burnt offering and laying it on his son Isaac? 6So 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. Genesis Rabbah, the Jewish midrash, comments that Isaac with the wood on his back is like a condemned man, carrying his own cross. Wenham, G. J. (1998). Genesis 16–50 (Vol. 2, p. 108). Dallas: Word, Incorporated.

43. 26. What is the significance of Abraham laying the wood on his son Isaac? John 19:17 And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha,

44. 27. What did Abraham carry? Explain the significance of these items. 6So 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.

45. 28. How did they proceed to the place of offering? 6So 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.

46. 29. What did Abraham and Isaac talk about on the way? 7But 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?” 8And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” So the two of them went together.

47. 30. What does the word “provide” mean? 8And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” So the two of them went together. (rā·ʾāh) = see, look, view, i.e., use the perception of sight to view objects and make judgments based on the perceptions א ָ ה רָ “provide” = pro "ahead" + videre "to see"

48. 31. What did Abraham mean when he said, “God Himself will provide the lamb”? 8And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” So the two of them went together. “…provide for Himself…” “…provide Himself…”

49. 32. What did Abraham and Isaac do when they arrived at “the place that God had told him about”? 9Then 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.

50. 33. Why did Abraham “bind” his son? 9Then 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. Binding of Isaac, known in Hebrew as the Akedah, Genesis 22:1-19 is traditionally read on the second day of Rosh Hashanah, and references to it appear throughout the Rosh Hashanah