#4. The offering of Isaac.
Genesis xxii.


We may consider this chapter from two different points of view:

(1) As a record of the testing of Abraham’s faith.

(2) As typical of the work of Christ.

Let us consider each of these aspects in turn.

Abraham had been declared by the Lord to be righteous as far back as Gen. xv. 6, and Paul uses this passage in Rom. iv. as an argument for justification by faith. The apostle James, however, after alluding to the blessedness of enduring temptation or testing (i. 12), speaks of Abraham as being justified by works, when he had offered his son upon the altar (ii. 21-23), and says that the scripture was fulfilled, which spoke of his justification by faith in Gen. xv. 6. So with us all—in the lawcourt of the Lord—those who believe into Christ are legally and for ever justified and cannot possibly come into condemnation, but, having received this new life, they must demonstrate it by love and good works, apart from which they will fail of the enjoyment of peace with God, and also fail with regard to future reward. Abraham’s obedience, or practical righteousness, fulfilled or manifested his imputed righteousness which he had by faith.

We must notice next the character of Abraham’s testing and the nature of his obedience. His dearest possession, the one in whom all the promises of God to him were centred, was demanded from him without explanation. Heb. xi. 17-19 shows that Abraham’s faith was in resurrection—the key to the Christian’s victory. His obedience, also, was marked. He rose up early (verse 3) and started off unhesitatingly. Abraham was a man of keen susceptibilities and affection, but he possessed the love and faith which overcomes all, and puts God first. The result of this testing is seen in verses 16-18. So, in our own time, the believer who is willing to deny himself, and take up his cross and follow the Lord, will by no means lose his reward.

We now come to the second aspect of the passage—its typical teaching in relation to the work of Christ. The language used concerning Isaac in verse 2 sets forth very clearly the Lord as the only begotten and well-beloved Son of God; and the place—a mountain in the land of Moriah—at once calls to mind the spot where, years afterwards, David offered a sacrifice and purchased the site for the temple (II Chron. iii. 1). It also reminds us of the “hill called Calvary”, where the Lord of glory died in the place of guilty sinners.

In verse 5 the phrase “I and the lad” is suggestive of the truth that that awful transaction on Calvary was between the Lord Jesus and His Father alone. In verse 7 we have “My Father” and “My Son”. True affection and tender complacency mark these words; even when He was charged with the guilt of His people, and smitten by the sword of Jehovah, the Lord Jesus was as much His Father’s delight as when He was with Him in glory before the world began.

Verse 8 was fulfilled when the Lamb of God was offered as a willing Sacrifice more than nineteen hundred years ago. What wonderful lessons we may learn here! The father offering up his only begotten and beloved son, and, at the same time, a foreshadowing of Israel, the Abraham of the nations, as the people who would be responsible for this awful deed.

In verses 11-13, the angel of the Lord intervenes and points out the “ram caught in a thicket”—another type of the Lord Himself as the One offered instead of Isaac. Every member of Israel’s race exists only on the basis of this great substitution, just as every sinner lives only because of the “instead” of Gal. iii. 20.

This chapter ends with the birth of Rebekah, Isaac’s destined bride (verse 23). The spiritual birthplace of the Bride of the Lamb is the death of Christ, just as Eve was taken from Adam during a deep sleep.

May we all seek to exhibit Abraham’s faith and obedience, and realize more fully the depths of grace manifested in the offering of Christ.

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(From The Berean Expositor, Vol. 30, pp. 119).

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