Father Abraham
A Sermon Series
“Where Is The Lamb?”
Genesis 22:9-24
John 1:29 “The next day he (John the Baptist) saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
A Father Who Holds Nothing Back (vv. 9-10)
9 When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son.
(v. 2) “go to the land of Moriah,” – Abraham and Isaac have traveled to a very specific place for what is about to transpire. Moriah is mentioned in 2 Chronicles 3:1 – this would be the place where the temple would be built, and where Jesus would die on the cross. God told them, I want you to go to a very specific place (the eventual place of the cross), to do a very specific act of worship (lay down your son as a way of forgiveness of sin), in a very specific way (laying down his life). All of this points to Jesus.
This foundational act of worship (Abraham offering his one and only son as commanded by God) would take place in the land of Moriah. Then the Temple worship would come to be where animals would be slaughtered in accordance to the law. Then in the fullness of time, the cross would be lifted up where the Son of God would lay down his life, and be slaughtered for the sin of humanity).
Isaac was likely a young man, not a small child. Estimates generally range from his late teens to 37 years old. Common scholarly and traditional views suggest he was roughly 25 to 37 years old, as he was strong enough to carry the wood for the sacrifice up Mount Moriah[1] – more than strong enough to wrestle away from a 100-year-old man. He was not taken by force, Isaac willingly laid down on the alter because his father told him to.
Isaac carried the wood where he would be the sacrifice, the Father carried the knife and the fire and would be the one who kills his own son.[2]
God is not cruel or seeking to strip something away from Abraham,[3]
He is foreshadowing a Savior that is coming,
God is showing how a father will sacrifice his son for the covering of sin.
(v. 1) tells us that this was a test, “God tested Abraham,” – So what is the test? The test is “Can I trust God?” To have faith is to accept certain things about God (truth, love, just, etc.) that is why we have the Bible, so we can get a true picture of who He is, and then to act on His Word. All of the salvation story revolves on how we respond to God’s Word – we are saved by faith.
A Father Whose Heart Is Broken (vv. 11- 14)
11 But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 12 He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” 13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”
Why did God put Abraham through this “test?” Because he has to feel and understand what a substitute means. If there is no understanding of loss, there is no rejoicing in the substitute. Ultimately this is a foreshadowing of how God laid His own Son down, and offered him as a sacrifice for the salvation of the world. He would not stop mid-blow, but instead bring down His full wrath upon his one and only son, the son who he loved.
Salvation means nothing until a person truly understands where they stand before God apart from Christ. What is the value of a substitute if you have never felt the pain of loss. Why turn from sin if you have never understood what that sin cost our heavenly father? God has to get Abraham to the point of realizing his complete loss (of Isaac), and then in that mourning and fear of loss God provides the substitute. Jehovah Jireh, “the Lord will provide.”
Jonathan Edwards in his famous sermon Sinners in the Hands of An Angry God, once said, “The use of this dreadful subject, may be for awakening unconverted people in this congregation. What you have heard is the case of every one of you who are out of Christ. That world of misery, that lake of burning brimstone, is extended abroad under you! There is the dreadful pit of the glowing flames of the wrath of God! There is Hell’s wide gaping mouth open, and you have nothing to stand upon, nor anything to take hold of! There is nothing between you and Hell but the thin air! It is only the power and mere pleasure of God, which holds you up!”
When we realize that because of our sin, we have lost everything of any value in this world or in the next, we cry out for Jesus. Then, God withholds nothing for those who place their faith in His Son. He lavishes them with forgiveness of sin, spiritual gifts, eternal life, adoption as His children, placing on them a robe, and ring, and sandals on their feet – their poverty of sin is turned to heavenly riches of grace and mercy.
But you cannot understand the power of the father running to us as the prodigal, unless you realize that you have lost everything and your stomach aches to eat what the pigs are eating. Otherwise, the father’s running to you in love, the ring, the coat, and sandals are easily discarded for Satanic substitutes.
(v.14) “So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”” – Jehovah Jireh or “The Lord will see to it.” This description and name is given in the future tense, meaning God will see to and provide in the future a substitute for man’s sin – The Father will see our sinful condition, and provide a substitute so that we may live – so that we will not have to pay the penalty for the sin we have committed. When Isaac asked, “where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, . . .”
“Where is the lamb?”
“How can I be free from my sin?”
“What must I do to be saved?”
Acts 16:25-31 “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, 26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened. 27 When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” 29 And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Our Father has seen our need (sin) and has provided a way for you to be saved from your sin. He gave His One and Only Son as a substitute for you.
Isaiah 53:5-6 “. . . he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
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In this account Abraham received a picture of what the Messiah would be like, John 8:56 Jesus is discussing who He is with the religious leaders, “Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” But what did Abraham see about Jesus that made him glad?
“When he takes the knife, and stretches forth his hand to slay his son, he is made to realize the intensity of the love of him who spared not his own Son, but gave him up even to death.” Ultimately, Abraham would not have to give his son, but he would understand the love given to him and all other sinners because of the true sacrifice.
“The lamb provided for Isaac’s release, there is a vivid representation of the great principle of the sacrifice of Christ – the principle of substitution (substitutionary atonement). A ransom is found for the doomed and condemned – an acceptable victim in their place.” Abraham would know the feeling of joy and release in that he doesn’t have to give his own son as a sin offering.
“In the reception of Isaac again by Abraham virtually from the dead, and his welcome restoration to his father’s embrace – not, however, without a sacrifice, not without blood – the resurrection of the Son of God, and his return to the bosom of the Father – after undergoing that death which Isaac underwent only in figure – might clearly and strikingly discerned.”[4] What Abraham experienced showed him all that his faith longed to see. Jesus would return to and be embraced by the Father – Abraham understood what that reception would be like.
There is joy in a day of resurrection; Hebrews 11:19 “He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.” With Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, sin and death has been defeated. Death causes us to weep and mourn. Jesus thinking about his friend Lazarus’ tomb and wept. But Abraham through this experience was able to see a day when Jesus would come, and defeat death and there will be a day of resurrection when all things will be made right once more. Joy will come in the morning.
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A Father Who Is Blessed By God (vv. 15-19)
15 And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven 16 and said, “By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore.[5] And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, 18 and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.” 19 So Abraham returned to his young men, and they arose and went together to Beersheba. And Abraham lived at Beersheba.
(v. 18) This is the first time we have the word “obey” in the Bible – because Abraham obeyed God’s command, etc… Abraham’s obedience was immediate. When he was told to circumcise the males in his camp, “on that very day,” (Gen. 17) he carried out the command. When told to sacrifice Isaac as a burnt offering, “he arose early the next morning,” (Gen. 22). He was obedient in that he obeyed quickly. Abraham was going to Mt. Moriah to worship God; Worship is rooted in obedience – you cannot worship God while willfully being disobedient.
(v. 16) We are told why Abraham is being blessed, “because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you . . .” Hebrews again speaks to this passage, Hebrews 6:13-15 “For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, 14 saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you.” 15 And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise.”
Abraham’s descendants, have already been described as “a great nation,” “as the dust of the earth,” “the stars of the sky” and here God adds, “as the sand that is on the seashore,” Abraham’s faith is rewarded in that many others will also place their faith in Christ – His faith will direct countless others to put their faith in the one true God, and the substitute He provides (His own Son).
(v. 17) “And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies” – Those who put their faith in Jesus don’t have to win the battle over sin; victory over sin and death has already been completed – they simply possess it. The enemy and his city have been defeated. The children of God simply occupy/possess the land already conquered.
James 2:21-24 “Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.”
Salvation is received (we obtain salvation) by faith alone (not works) – but that faith in God should drive us to obedient actions. Abraham’s faith demanded that he sacrifice Isaac – which his heart was willing to do.[6] There are countless opportunities to express your faith in Christ in your church (we are starting Good News Clubs, young adult ministries, there is group that gathers to pray every Wednesday morning, children’s ministry, student ministry, you can invite people to church or your Sunday School class, Easter is a few weeks away, on and on are opportunities).
If you think of faith the inward, and works as the outward – both have to exist. Faith without works is dead (it’s not real, its pretend, your just religious). Works without faith is exhausting self-righteousness, trying to accomplish the impossible. You don’t even know why you are doing what you are doing – there is no foundation underneath your efforts.
Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness. When he received the command to offer his son as a burnt offering he left early the next day, saddled his donkey, cut wood, and went to Mt. Moriah. Faith and Works. Inward and Outward.
James tells us that Abraham “was called a friend of God.” – How does one become a friend of God? 1) They are called by God 2) They repent when they sin and seek to worship God as He has instructed 3) They have faith in His Word 4) They are obedient to His Word 5) Their blessing is the salvation of others – what is important to God is important to them. John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”
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[1] John 19:17 “So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha.” Isaac is carrying the wood where he will be the burnt offering.
[2] Derek Kidner, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, Genesis (Downers Grove, Illinois; Inter-Varsity Press, 1967) 143.
[3] If this were an idolatrous stripping away for Abraham’s sake, then “Abraham without Isaac is greatly troubling, but Abraham without God is unbearable.”
[4] James Montgomery Boice, An Expositional Commentary, Genesis (Grand Rapids, Michigan; Baker Books, 2002) 698.
[5] Hebrews 11:12 “Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.”
[6] C. H. Mackintosh, Notes on the Pentateuch, Genesis to Deuteronomy (Neptune, New Jersey; Loizeaux Brothers, 1972) 98.
