The 'Almost' Sacrifice of Isaac

Genesis 22:9-19
The story of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac has often been heralded as an example of faith in the promises of God. Abraham is even commended in Hebrews 11 because of the faith he demonstrated during this monumental trial. However, a simply traditional exemplary depiction of this account does not adequately capture the essence of the gospel so richly portrayed in this history. One must observe this story in light of God’s outworking of the history of redemption in order to grasp its full glory.

Abraham indeed demonstrates a supernatural faith in the promises of God. Not only would having the directive to sacrifice one’s son be difficult to obey, but the facts that Isaac was the only son, the son of his old age, and the son of promise compounded the level of difficulty in this command a hundredfold. Therefore, to make the application that one ought to follow this marvelous example of faith, to follow and obey God no matter what the circumstances, is an easy application to make. While we are to take courage and instruction from the cloud of witnesses around us (Hebrews 12), setting our sights on Abraham is not where God wants our focus to be. The fact that this faith is supernatural leads one to look beyond the possessor of this faith to its Giver.

Similar application can be made of Isaac and his relationship with his father. One can draw applications for practical family godliness as well. Isaac quietly and unquestioningly obeyed his father. Abraham in a rich fatherly way demonstrated obedience to his heavenly Father, directing Isaac in following his example. Abraham also led his son in the worship of the Lord through a practice of sacrifice; here, one could also conclude the covenantal obligation of teaching the gospel of salvation (through sacrifice) is displayed. Although these applications can be rich instructions for life in themselves, the fullness of the gospel is not manifest.

Even pointing to the substitution of the ram for Isaac, and the provision of God therein, though rich and powerful in its theme, seems to be an incomplete rendering in its scope. Often, the substitution is understood as a reward for Abraham’s faith. The ram is pictured as a figure of Christ, taking the place of His people, and shedding his blood in our place. Furthermore, the application is often made that this story demonstrates God’s willingness to provide for the needs of His people.

However, making these applications does not do justice to the rich teaching of the text as part of the historical-redemptive history of the Old Testament. To conclude that the ram was given as a reward for Abraham’s faith is a misconception; the substitution, in the light of the gospel as a whole, is the basis for Abraham’s faith and therefore precludes it. This history, therefore, also serves as a prophetic picture of the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promises: God Himself would sacrifice his own Son, the promised Seed. In this way, Abraham and Isaac represent the sacrifice of Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of the covenant made with Abraham, and God’s willingness to pay the price for the breaking of the covenant, delivering man from eternity in hell, the price which man would have to pay if not for this atonement.

Yes, Abraham’s faith was great; so, too, was Isaac’s. Beyond all reason Abraham was required to sacrifice his only son of the promise. But this was God’s way. The fulfillment of the promise was made in a way that Abraham was not expecting; and yes, God provided the sacrifice in the end. This points to the coming Messiah, who would provide atonement for His people in a way that was unexpected, and seemed to be against all reason.

What is often left out in reading this passage is God’s reaffirmation of the covenant to Abraham because he did not withhold his only son, and therefore all the nations of the earth would be blessed. All the nations of the earth would indeed be blessed, not because of Abraham’s faith, but because God did not withhold His only Son, but offered Him up on the cross of Calvary’s mountain, so that we, His people, would escape death. In this rich revelation of God’s saving grace, Abraham, Isaac, and their progeny (as numerous as the sand on the seashore) were given an unexpected expectation for the future Messiah.