Genesis 22

This chapter foreshadows the death and resurrection of Jesus.  Isaac carried the wood that was going to fuel the fire to burn him, just as Jesus carried His cross on the way to His crucifixion.  Isaac noticed that they had the wood and the fire, but asked where the lamb was.  Abraham said “God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering” (verse 8).  This is a reference to Jesus, the lamb of God.  Another point to note is that they arrived at the mountain on the third day.  Isaac was as good as dead for three days and then had his life spared, just as Jesus was dead for 3 days and then was resurrected.  In John 10:18, Jesus said “No one takes My life from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord.” In a similar way, Isaac had to have been an obedient participant in the sacrifice because Abraham was very old at this point, and Isaac likely could have escaped if he did not want to be bound.

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.” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭22:1-2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Abraham was tested by God.  The apostle James says that tests are common to the Christian. Not temptations, but tests.  Satan tempts (1 Corinthians 7:5), but God does not (James 1:13). God tests us for the purpose of making us “mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:4).  Is every difficult circumstance a test from God? The Bible doesn’t say. Our job is to be on guard against Satan tempting us in the middle of difficult situations, and use the situation as an opportunity to trust God and respond in faith, just as Abraham did.