Topical Encyclopedia The account of Abraham being commanded to offer his son Isaac as a burnt offering is a pivotal narrative in the Old Testament, illustrating themes of faith, obedience, and divine provision. This event is recorded in Genesis 22:1-19 and is often referred to as "The Binding of Isaac" or "Akedah" in Jewish tradition.Context and Command The narrative begins with God testing Abraham's faith. Genesis 22:1-2 states, "Some time later God tested Abraham and said to him, 'Abraham!' 'Here I am,' he answered. 'Take your son,' God said, 'your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. Offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will show you.'" This command is significant as Isaac was the child of promise, born to Abraham and Sarah in their old age, fulfilling God's promise that Abraham would be the father of many nations (Genesis 17:19). The directive to sacrifice Isaac thus presented a profound test of Abraham's trust in God's promises. Journey to Moriah Abraham's response to God's command is immediate and obedient. Genesis 22:3 recounts, "So Abraham got up early the next morning, saddled his donkey, and took along two of his servants and his son Isaac. He split the wood for the burnt offering and set out for the place God had designated." The journey to Moriah took three days, during which Abraham would have grappled with the gravity of the impending sacrifice. Upon reaching the designated place, Abraham instructed his servants to stay behind, expressing faith that both he and Isaac would return (Genesis 22:5). The Sacrifice Prepared As they ascended the mountain, Isaac, unaware of the full intent, questioned his father about the absence of a lamb for the offering. Abraham's response in Genesis 22:8 is profound: "God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." This statement reflects Abraham's faith in God's provision. Upon reaching the site, Abraham built an altar, arranged the wood, and bound Isaac, placing him on the altar. As he took the knife to slay his son, the angel of the Lord intervened, calling out to stop him (Genesis 22:10-12). Divine Provision and Covenant Affirmation In a dramatic turn, God provided a ram caught in a thicket to be offered in place of Isaac. Genesis 22:13 records, "Then Abraham looked up and saw behind him a ram in a thicket, caught by its horns. So he went and took the ram and offered it as a burnt offering in place of his son." This substitutionary sacrifice prefigures the concept of atonement and foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ in Christian theology. Abraham named the place "The LORD Will Provide" (Yahweh Yireh), signifying God's provision (Genesis 22:14). Following the test, God reaffirmed His covenant with Abraham, promising to bless him and multiply his descendants as the stars of the sky and the sand on the seashore. This reaffirmation is found in Genesis 22:16-18 , where God declares, "Because you have done this and have not withheld your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore." Theological Significance The account of Abraham's trial is a profound testament to faith and obedience. It underscores the belief in God's faithfulness and the importance of trusting in His promises, even when circumstances seem contrary. The narrative also serves as a typological foreshadowing of the sacrifice of Christ, highlighting themes of substitutionary atonement and divine provision. Torrey's Topical Textbook Genesis 22:1-24And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said to him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Abraham and Isaac. Abraham's Offering up his Son Isaac Abraham's Obedience The Faith of Abraham. Home Dedication. Chapter xxii The Prophet of Fire "The Light of Life" Separation to God. Book 5 Footnotes Resources What is a burnt offering? | GotQuestions.orgWhat were the various sacrifices in the Old Testament? | GotQuestions.org Why would the aroma of a sacrifice be important to God? | GotQuestions.org Burnt: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics The Burnt offering for Nazarites After Defilement, or at the End of Their Vow The Burnt offering for the Healed Leper The Burnt offering of Human Victims Execrated The Burnt offering of the Wicked, not Accepted by God The Burnt offering was an Atonement for Sin The Burnt offering with Sounds of Trumpets at Feasts The Burnt offering: Abraham Tried by the Command to offer Isaac As The Burnt offering: After Great Mercies The Burnt offering: Ashes of, Collected at Foot of the Altar, and Conveyed The Burnt offering: At Consecration of Kings The Burnt offering: At Consecration of Levites The Burnt offering: At Consecration Priests The Burnt offering: At Dedication of Sacred Places The Burnt offering: At Purification of Women The Burnt offering: Before Going to War The Burnt offering: Blood of, Sprinkled Round About Upon the Altar The Burnt offering: Devotedness to God The Burnt offering: Every Morning and Evening The Burnt offering: Every Sabbath Day The Burnt offering: Guilt of offering, Except in the Place Appointed The Burnt offering: Guilt of Unauthorised Persons offering The Burnt offering: Guilt Transferred To, by Imposition of Hands The Burnt offering: If a Bird, the Blood Was Wrung out at the Side of the Altar The Burnt offering: Incapable of Removing Sin, and Reconciling to God The Burnt offering: Knowledge of God Better Than The Burnt offering: Love of God Better Than The Burnt offering: Obedience Better Than The Burnt offering: Offered by the Jews Before the Law The Burnt offering: Required to be for the People at Large, Killed and Prepared by the Levites The Burnt offering: Required to Be: A Male Without Blemish The Burnt offering: Required to Be: Entirely Burned The Burnt offering: Required to Be: Killed, If a Beast, by the Person Who Brought It The Burnt offering: Required to Be: Killed, If a Bird, by the Priest The Burnt offering: Required to Be: Offered by Priests Only The Burnt offering: Required to Be: Offered in Righteousness The Burnt offering: Required to Be: Presented at the Door of the Tabernacle The Burnt offering: Required to Be: Voluntary The Burnt offering: Skin of, Given to the Priests for Clothing The Burnt offering: Specially Acceptable The Burnt offering: The Day of Atonement The Burnt offering: The Fat of all Peace offerings Laid On, and Consumed With The Burnt offering: The First Day of Every Month The Burnt offering: The Most Ancient of all Sacrifices The Burnt offering: The Most Costly, No Adequate Tribute to God The Burnt offering: The offering of Christ The Burnt offering: The Seven Days of Unleavened Bread The Burnt offering: To be offered Only to the Lord The Burnt offering: To be Taken From: The Flock or Herd The Burnt offering: To be Taken From: The Fowls Related Terms The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |
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