June 28, 2026 Sermon
Sermon Title: “God Tests Abraham”
Scripture: Genesis 22:1-14
(Other lectionary suggestions include Psalm 13, Romans 6:12-23, and Matthew 10:40-42.)
Genesis 22:1-14
The Command to Sacrifice Isaac
1After these things God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 2He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains that I shall show you.” 3So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac; he cut the wood for the burnt offering, and set out and went to the place in the distance that God had shown him. 4On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place far away. 5Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the boy and I will go over there; we will worship, and then we will come back to you.” 6Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. So the two of them walked on together. 7Isaac said to his father Abraham, “Father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” 8Abraham said, “God himself will provide the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So the two of them walked on together. 9When they came to the place that God had shown him, Abraham built an altar there and laid the wood in order. He bound his son Isaac, and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to kill his son. 11But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven, and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 12He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” 13And Abraham looked up and saw a ram, caught in a thicket by its horns. Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14So Abraham called that place “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”
Today’s Scripture lesson is a tough one to hear. The promised son Isaac is about to be sacrificed by his father Abraham, and Abraham, being obedient to God, seems ready to carry out God’s will. I have heard it said that this story is told because lots of ancient cultures practiced infanticide, and God keeps Isaac from being sacrificed at the last minute because the story-teller(s) in Genesis did not agree with the practice, and - presumably - neither did God! But it was OH so close - and you and I still need to grapple with how a loving God could command his servant Abraham to kill the son who had been promised for so long.
I found the following commentary on the website ministryanswers.com and thought it had some interesting points. So, I decided to share it with you today.
This scripture is one of the Bible’s most powerful and thought-provoking passages, as it tells the story of God testing Abraham’s faith by asking him to sacrifice his son, Isaac. This passage raises many questions about faith, obedience, and the character of God. This blog post will delve into these questions and explore the deeper meanings behind this significant biblical story.
One of the central themes of Genesis 22:1-14 is the idea of God testing Abraham’s faith. Throughout the Bible, there are numerous instances where God tests the faith of His followers. In this passage, God tests Abraham’s faith by asking him to perform the ultimate sacrifice – offering his beloved son a burnt offering. The purpose of this test was not to cause suffering or to punish Abraham, but rather to reveal the depth of his faith and commitment to God. By obeying God’s command without hesitation, Abraham demonstrated an unwavering trust in God’s plan and a willingness to place God above all else in his life.
The story of the binding of Isaac, also known as the “Akedah,” can be seen as a reflection of the broader themes of faith and obedience found throughout the Bible. The Akedah serves as a powerful reminder that true faith requires complete surrender to God’s will, even when it seems impossible to understand or accept.
Also, Abraham and Isaac’s story foreshadows the story of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. Just as Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son, God was willing to sacrifice His own Son, Jesus, for the salvation of humanity. In both cases, a father’s love and obedience to God are tested, and God ultimately provides a way for redemption and deliverance.
It is difficult to imagine what must have been going through Abraham’s mind when he was asked to sacrifice his son. As a devoted father, he undoubtedly felt immense pain and anguish at the thought of losing his child. Yet, as a man of faith, he also believed in God’s promise to him – that Isaac would be the start of a great nation. Abraham’s willingness to follow through with this command, despite the emotional turmoil it must have caused, shows the depth of his faith and trust in God’s plan. It is an inspiring example of how we, too, can choose to trust God even when faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges.
The story of Abraham and Isaac can be challenging for many readers, as it raises questions about God’s character and intentions. Why would a loving God ask someone to sacrifice their own child? This passage reminds us that God’s ways are often beyond our understanding, but His ultimate purpose is always for the good of those who love Him. In this case, God provided a ram for the sacrifice, sparing Isaac’s life and demonstrating His provision and care for His people. God’s request was not about causing pain or suffering; rather, it was a test of faith, designed to strengthen Abraham’s relationship with God and reveal the depth of his trust.
There are several valuable lessons we can take away from the story of Abraham and Isaac: 1. Faith requires obedience: True faith involves more than just believing in God; it also requires obeying His commands, even when they seem difficult or confusing. 2. God’s plans are greater than our understanding: We may not always understand why God asks certain things of us, but we can trust that His plans are ultimately for our good and His glory. 3. God provides: In times of trial and testing, God will provide a way out or a means of provision, just as He provided the ram for Abraham.
Genesis 22:1-14 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of faith, trust, and obedience in our relationship with God. As we reflect on this passage and its questions, let us consider how our faith is demonstrated through our actions and decisions. Are we willing to trust God even when His commands seem difficult or impossible? Can we find the courage to obey Him, even when it requires great personal sacrifice? By contemplating these questions and seeking to follow Abraham’s example, we can grow in our understanding of what it truly means to have faith in God.
The British Bible scholar whom I have quoted before says this. I’m not sure I agree with him, but here are the words of John C. L. Gibson: “Before he could finally be sure that he had found the right man, God had one more test for Abraham to pass. Abraham had acquiesced in the expulsion of his older son Ishmael, but he had protested perhaps a little too much.” Now God wanted to see if his only son Isaac would be a stumbling block to obedience. “In being presented with this command, Abraham was in effect being forced to choose between God’s promises and God himself. Was his devotion to God’s person stronger than his devotion to God’s cause? There can be no more fundamental question addressed by God to men than this, and it is because Abraham gave the right answer that his faith will be celebrated, and justly celebrated, as long as time shall last. It took him many years to win through to a faith like this, but he made it in the end.”
What do you think? The feelings of God and Isaac are not mentioned, but they must have felt SOMETHING. What was going through Abraham’s mind as he traveled to the site of the supposed sacrifice, and what was going through Isaac’s mind as his father was about to sacrifice him? We are not told, and I think what the writer(s) are trying to emphasize is OBEDIENCE to God’s Will, regardless of the consequences to ourselves. Again, what do you think? Our faith is not for the weak at heart!
Pastor Skip
