Genesis Bible Study
Lesson 19: God Tests Abraham
Many people find this chapter troubling because God calls Abraham to offer his son as a sacrifice. They are further troubled by Abraham’s absolute obedience to God without even raising a protest. When Christians read this story they hear themes that were played out when God the Father sacrificed his Son, Jesus, on the cross.
(God Tests Abraham – Genesis 22:1a) We do not know exactly when the events in this chapter occurred. The must have taken place sometime after the events described in chapter 21 because Isaac was old enough to carry the wood for the sacrifice (verse 6). This probably means that Isaac was a young adolescent. Also, by this time, Ishmael had been away from Abraham for several years and was no longer actively involved in Abraham’s affairs.
This chapter begins with the words, “God tested Abraham.” Other translations use the word “tempt” or “tried” to describe God’s actions. What do you think of when you hear these words? Notice that Abraham does not know that God is testing him nor do we know the purpose of the test – we do not know what God was looking for.
(God Calls Abraham – Genesis 22:1b) This is not the first time that God has spoken to Abraham. However, this time God began by calling Abraham’s name as if he was looking for him or trying to get his attention; previously God just started talking without any preamble. Why do you God had to call Abraham by name? Is it possible that Abraham had “wandered away from God” and God was trying to get his attention or find him? Why else might God have called Abraham in this way?
Notice the simplicity and neutrality of Abraham’s response. Abraham simply acknowledged God’s call and appeared prepared to hear God’s word. Think back to other times when God had called Abraham; God’s always called Abraham to move in some new direction. What do you think was going through Abraham’s mind this time?
Compare this verse to Genesis 3:9 where God called for Adam. How did Abraham’s response differ from Adam’s? What does this say about Abraham and his willingness to hear God’s voice.
(God’s Test For Abraham– Genesis 22:2) God’s command in this verse seems completely out of character for God. This is the first time God had asked anyone to offer a sacrifice (previously Cain, Able, Noah and Abraham have voluntarily given offerings to God). Also, this is the only time that God asked for a human sacrifice (human sacrifice will be forbidden as part of the law give to the Israelites by God at Sinai). How do you feel about God’s command? Do you think God was serious and really wanted Abraham to sacrifice Isaac?
Notice the tension is this passage; the NRSV translation masks it somewhat. A better translation (Everett Fox) puts it this way: “Pray take your son / your only-one, / whom you love, Yitzhak.” At each phrase, until the last, there was some ambiguity about what God intended. It was not until God named Isaac that we know for sure which son is meant.
This passage is similar to God’s first call to Abraham recorded in Genesis 12. In that passage God called Abraham to leave everything behind and go to a land that God would show him. In effect, God called Abraham to find his future in God alone. What was at stake for Abraham in Genesis 12? What is at stake for him here?
At this point what do you think is the test that God has set for Abraham?
(Abraham’s Response – Genesis 22:3) Notice that Abraham did not waste any time in fulfilling God’s command – he “rose early in the morning.” How does this compare to Abraham’s response to God call in Genesis 12?
Notice that Abraham did not share God’s call with anyone (especially not with Sarah or Isaac). Why do you think Abraham kept God’s call to himself?
Also notice that the pace of the narrative has slowed down considerably. We are told (in minute details) all that Abraham did as he prepared to respond to God’s call. Why do you think we are given such details?
In Genesis 18 God shared with Abraham his plan to bring destruction on Sodom and Gomorrah. In that case Abraham was not passive; he “argued” with God and tried to save the cities. How do you think God would have replied had Abraham tried to argue with him in this case?
(Abraham’s Journey – Genesis 22:4-5) Abraham’s journey took three days during which we are given no information about what took place. What do you think Abraham was thinking about as they journeyed to the place?
When they got close (within sight of the place), Abraham told his men to remain behind while Abraham and Isaac continued on. Notice that Abraham said “we will come back.” Do you think Abraham had an idea that God was not serious about his call to sacrifice Isaac even at this point? Or, do you think Abraham is trying to fool himself?
(Abraham and Isaac’s Journey – Genesis 22:6-8) After leaving the men behind, Abraham made Isaac carry the wood. Why do you think Isaac was give this particular task? What parallels do you see with Jesus carrying his cross to his crucifixion?
In verse 7 Isaac spoke for the first time; he called his father. How does this compare to verse 1 where God called Abraham. In verse 1 we talked about how God might have been looking for Abraham. Is Isaac also looking for his father? What do you think Isaac is hoping to find? Notice that Abraham’s response was the same as in verse 1; he simply presented himself to his son. What does this reveal about Abraham’s state of mind at this point?
Isaac then presented the obvious problem – they had everything they needed for a sacrifice except the lamb. Why do you think Isaac brought this up? Do you think he knew what is ahead for him?
In verse 8 Abraham answered his son. However, his answer does not really answer Isaac’s question; rather it seems to be an evasive answer. What do you hear in Abraham’s answer? Where is faith in his answer? What is left unsaid in Abraham’s answer?
(The Preparation – Genesis 22:9-10) When Abraham and Isaac arrived they prepared for a sacrifice; nothing seemed amiss until Abraham “bound his son Isaac, and laid him on the altar.” How do you think Abraham felt in that moment? Do you think he was really prepared to go through with the sacrifice of his son?
Notice that Isaac did not seem to flee or fight his father; he seemed to accept his fate. What do you think Isaac was thinking about in this moment? In what sense was this also a test for Isaac? Can he accept God’s will for his life even if that means his death?
(God Provides A Way Out – Genesis 22:11-14) It was not until Abraham had raised the knife that God acted – he sent an angel who stayed Abraham’s hand. Some commentators believe the angel actually took hold of Abraham’s hand to prevent him from killing Isaac. Why do you think God waited until the last moment to spare Isaac?
Notice that the angel had to call Abraham’s name twice. This might suggest the urgency of the situation or it might had been required to get Abraham’s attention. Also note that Abraham’s reply was the same as in verses 1 and 7, “Here I am.” How was his reply different from the previous two times. What does Abraham’s reply say about his commitment to God and his faith?
Even though the story says it was an angel it is important to remember that angels only speak the word of God so the message is from God himself.
Look closely at verse 12. What did Abraham demonstrated to God in this moment? What would you say was God’s test for Abraham? Did Abraham passed the test? God said “now I know that you fear God.” What does the word fear mean in this passage. Do you think Abraham obeyed God because he feared something God would do? Or, does fear represent something else in this passage?
Abraham then saw a ram caught in a thicket and he offered the ram “instead of his son.” Today, Christians see many parallels between this passage and Jesus death on the cross. One obvious parallel is that God provided Jesus (the ram) who was sacrificed so that we (Isaac) might live. What other parallels do you see between this passage and Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross?
(God’s Final Promise to Abraham – Genesis 22:15-18) This is the last time that God spoke directly to Abraham which makes this the final statement of God’s promise to Abraham. God had given his covenant to Abraham several times (Genesis 12:1-3; 15:1-19; 17:1-8); but, this time God recognized Abraham contribution – the offering of Isaac. What else is different or new in this covenant when compared to previous statements? How important is obedience in this covenant?
(Abraham’s Return – Genesis 22:19) The conclusion of this story is somewhat ambiguous; we are not told that Isaac actually returned with Abraham. Some commentators have suggested that there were once two versions of this story; in one Isaac was spared while in the other Isaac was killed. Others point to this verse and speculate that Isaac does not return with Abraham but stayed for a while with God in paradise in compensations for the trauma he had endured. The text does seem to be clear in that Sarah did not see Isaac again before her death in Genesis 23:1.
(The Children of Nahor – Genesis 22:20-24) The chapter concludes with a brief genealogy – the children of Abraham’s brother Nahor. The primary significance of this passage is to mention Rebekah (v. 23) who will become Isaac’s wife. She is also a close cousin to Isaac. In this early part of Genesis it is important that the major figures (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) all marry and produce children from within the small family unit that worships the Lord.
(Lessons For Today) I believe that the question (or test) Abraham faced was “Could he trust God completely and allow God to hold every aspect of his future?” By offering Isaac, Abraham was saying that obeying God was the most important thing in his life and that he trusted God to keep his promise even in this situation. What message would Abraham have sent if he had refused to offer Isaac?
(Background Information) Devout Jews believe that Solomon’s temple was built on the site where Abraham built the altar for sacrificing Isaac. In fact, they believe that the place corresponded exactly to the place where the Holy of Holies was located and where the Ark of the Covenant rested. Today this site is part of the Muslim shrine, Dome of The Rock on the Temple Mount.
Devout Muslims also tell the story of Abraham nearly sacrificing his son, except they believe that Ishmael was the intended sacrifice.
Next Class
Lesson 20: The Death and Burial of Sarah
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