MPV Commentary

1. God tested Abraham, not to lead him into sin, but to prove and develop his faith (James 1:13; 1 Peter 1:7).

He replied, "Here I am," ready at a moment's notice for God's service.

2. Take your son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about (Genesis 22:2).

Every detail of this command would have caused Abraham immense emotional pain. He was being asked to sacrifice his only son, and by his own hand! Yet he heard God's voice without hesitation or complaint (Galatians 1:16; Luke 14:26).

3. Abraham rose early the next morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his servants with him, along with Isaac. He cut the wood for the burnt offering and set off to the place God had told him about (Genesis 22:3-5). The journey from Beer-sheba to Moriah would have taken two days, during which time Abraham carried the painful secret in his heart.

The distance to this location was likely chosen for a significant reason. Many believe it was one of the hills near Jerusalem where the Great Sacrifice would later be offered (Genesis 22:14).

4. On the third day, Abraham looked up and saw the place from afar. He said to the servants, "Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then return to you" (Genesis 22:5). Isaac asked his father, "Where is the lamb for the burnt offering?" Abraham replied, "God will provide a lamb for himself" (Genesis 22:7-8).

It has been suggested that this extraordinary event was meant to show Isaac how all families of the earth would be blessed. Alternatively, Abraham's response may have been an evasive answer, spoken in ignorance of what God had planned, yet with complete confidence that Isaac would somehow be restored (Hebrews 11:19).

9. Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood for the burnt offering. He bound his son Isaac and placed him on the altar above the wood (Genesis 22:9). Had not Abraham been sustained by his unwavering obedience to God's will, he could not have carried out this act.

11-12. An angel of the Lord called out from heaven as Abraham was about to slaughter his son. He said, "Do not lay a hand on the boy or do anything to him" (Genesis 22:11-12). The sacrifice had been virtually offered, with Abraham's intention and purpose clear. God witnessed this act and declared His acceptance in the highest terms of approval (Hebrews 11:17; James 2:21).

13-19. Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son (Genesis 22:13). This dramatic scene gave Abraham a clear understanding of God's purpose, which our Lord later alluded to (John 8:56).