Daily a new Bible text for devotion - EZBB

Genesis 22:1-2

Several factors must be considered to understand this proof properly. First, we must admit a strong bias in this matter. We, as parents, feel repulsed at the mere thought of sacrificing our children on an altar. Therefore, we project our aversion onto God, assuming that He also never considered it. Second, we view this command from the perspective of the culture of that time, which actually practiced child sacrifice. If pagans practiced it, and God condemned them for it, the practice must be wrong in any context.

But we are forced to conclude that the sacrifice of Isaac could not be wrong, whether it was merely attempted or carried out, because God is incapable of doing evil (James 1:13 ff; 1 John 1:5). Much more than that, it could not be wrong to sacrifice an only son because God truly sacrificed His only Son:

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:6; cf. Matthew 26:39, 42; Luke 22:22; John 3:17; Acts 2:23; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Revelation 13:8).

In this sense, God did not ask Abraham to do something that He Himself would not do. In fact, God's command was intended to foreshadow what He would do centuries later on the cross of Calvary.

Only by understanding the typological importance of the "sacrifice of Isaac" can we understand that God's command is holy, just, and pure. Abraham's willingness to renounce his only son humanly illustrated God's love for mankind, which led Him to give His only begotten Son. The profound agony experienced by Abraham reflected the Father's heart in the face of His Son's suffering. Isaac's obedience typified the Son's submission to the Father's will (cf. Matthew 26:39, 42).

Abraham's faith was amply demonstrated in his complete willingness to fulfill God's will. Without a doubt, if God had not intervened, Isaac would have been sacrificed. In practice, Isaac had already been sacrificed, so the act was unnecessary.

May we have the same obedience, faith, and courage as Abraham to surrender everything to God without reservation.