Isaac on the Altar

Genesis 22:1–18

Today we look at one of the most extraordinary stories in Scripture—the story of Abraham taking Isaac to the holy mountain to offer him as a sacrifice to God.

When we hear stories of human sacrifice, we are disgusted. How could anyone commit such an act? And what kind of God would ask for something like this?

Let’s open our Bibles to Genesis 22 and see what God asked of Abraham.

God’s Command

Genesis 22:1–2
“Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, ‘Abraham!’
‘Here I am,’ he replied.
Then God said, ‘Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.’”

The next morning—early the next morning—Abraham began preparations. He didn’t stall. He didn’t seek counsel. He didn’t even stop to pray about it. He simply began the work of obedience.

Abraham’s Faith

As they approached the mountain, notice what Abraham said to his servants in verse 5:

“We will worship and then we will come back to you.”

How could Abraham say we would return when only he and Isaac were going up? Abraham believed God. He had faith in God’s promise. Since Isaac was the only means of fulfilling that promise, Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died, God would have to raise him from the dead to remain faithful to His word.

That is faith! Abraham trusted that God would keep His word—even if it required a miracle.

God Provides

As they climbed, Isaac asked where the lamb for the sacrifice would come from.

Genesis 22:8
“Abraham answered, ‘God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.’ And the two of them went on together.”

Here Abraham uses one of God’s names: Jehovah Jireh—The Lord Will Provide.

Do we trust God’s promises the way Abraham did? The Scriptures are full of promises we can hold onto, speak back to God, and cling to in faith and obedience.

The Test Reaches Its Climax

Abraham built the altar, tied Isaac, and placed him on it. No word is recorded about Isaac’s response. Was his faith as strong as his father’s?

Genesis 22:10–12
“Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, ‘Abraham! Abraham!’
‘Here I am,’ he replied.
‘Do not lay a hand on the boy. Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.’”

That’s faith. That’s commitment. That’s obedience. Abraham passed the test. Will we?

Obedience is never easy, but Abraham had already committed in his heart to stay faithful to God—before this test came. We must do the same, committing before the chaos of life hits. If we don’t, we will be swept away.

The Lord Provides

Genesis 22:13
“Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns.”

Abraham offered the ram instead and named the place “The Lord Will Provide.”

Then came the blessing:

Genesis 22:15–18
“The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time and said, ‘I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, 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. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.’”

Our Takeaway

Abraham could face this test because he knew God’s promise. We have those same promises in God’s Word today. Faith, commitment, and obedience are empowered by knowing and practicing the Word of God.

Throughout Scripture, when people turned to God in faith and salvation, their next step was obedience in baptism.

That is what we celebrate today—those who are choosing to follow the Lord in baptism.