Abraham’s Ultimate Test and the Gospel’s Shadow
Genesis 22:1–4 (NASB95)
1Now it came about after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 2He said, “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.” 3So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him and Isaac his son; and he split wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. 4On the third day Abraham raised his eyes and saw the place from a distance.
We are now going to start reading some of what I believe are the most powerful verses in Genesis as they relate to the Good News about our Lord, Christ.
God called Abraham to a test that would resonate through the ages. He instructed Abraham to take Isaac, his beloved son, and go to the land of Moriah. There, Abraham was to offer Isaac as a burnt offering on a mountain that God would reveal to him. This moment is not just a test of faith; it is a prophetic typology pointing to Jesus's sacrifice.
Mount Moriah (vs. 2) is not a random location. It later becomes the site of Solomon’s temple in Jerusalem, the very place where sacrifices for sin would be made. Centuries later, Jesus would be crucified in Jerusalem, the location of Mt. Moriah, fulfilling the pattern set here. The name Moriah hints at God’s provision. God would provide a substitute for Isaac, just as He would provide Christ as the substitute for all humanity.
God’s words to Abraham are striking: “Take your son, your only son, whom you love.” Abraham had another son, Ishmael, but Isaac was the child of promise. He was unique, the one through whom God’s covenant would continue. This language mirrors the New Testament’s description of Jesus as the “only begotten Son,” the one chosen through whom mankind would be saved. Through no other name can we be saved; Christ is the begotten one. Just as Isaac was uniquely precious to Abraham, Jesus is uniquely precious to the Father. The phrase “your only son” helps us understand the depth of the Father’s love and the cost of the sacrifice.
God commanded Abraham to offer Isaac on a mountain (vs. 2). This detail matters. Both Isaac and Jesus were to be sacrificed on a mountain, in full view, as acts of obedience and surrender. The mountain setting highlights the public and decisive nature of the sacrifice. It points forward to Calvary, where the world would witness the ultimate act of love.
On the third day of their journey (vs. 4), Abraham looked up and saw the place from afar. The “third day” is a thread that runs through Scripture. It is the day of momentous events happening, of deliverance and new life. Abraham’s journey with Isaac climaxes on the third day, just as the climactic event on which our faith hangs, with Jesus rising from the dead on the third day. Abraham’s act of raising his eyes foreshadows the hope and victory that come after the darkness of sacrifice.
This test followed when Sarah had Abraham send Ishmael away. It’s ironic that Sarah was quick to have Abraham give up Ishmael, a son he loved. Now Sarah will understand the pain she caused by facing the possibility of losing Isaac, the child she’s waited for her entire life. This sequence teaches a lesson about trust. God’s plans often require us to let go of what is most precious, trusting that He will provide and fulfill His promises.
In Hebrew, this story is known as the “Binding of Isaac,” not the “Sacrifice of Isaac” as it is commonly called in the Christian tradition. I believe this is important to remember because it shifts the focus of the story to Abraham's test and God’s provision – the main points of the narrative - since God never intended to sacrifice Isaac.
For Christians, this account is a call to sacrificial obedience. Jesus said, “Take up your cross and follow me.” Abraham’s willingness to offer Isaac challenges us to hold nothing back from God. True discipleship means trusting God’s wisdom, even when we do not understand. It means being willing to surrender our most treasured relationships, dreams, and security for the sake of Christ.
God’s call to Abraham is a call to every believer. Are we willing to trust God with what we hold most dear? Are we ready to obey, even when the cost is high? The story of Abraham and Isaac points us to Jesus, who gave everything for us. Let us respond with faith, surrender, and a willingness to follow where He leads in any area of life.