The Strand Study Bible

GENESIS 22:12 GENESIS 22:23 because the person speaking to Abraham here is claiming to be the ANGEL OF THE LORD (vs 11); and we know that the ANGEL OF THE LORD in the Old Testament is always a preincarnate appearance of the SECOND PERSON of the Triune Godhead ( CHRIST – Exo 3:2 ). 22:1b God never “tempts” anyone to do evil, however, He will test our faith. Whereas the Devil tempts: the Lord tests (Jms 1:2,12-15 and I Pet 1:6-8). Only when you are tested in an area of affection will you know whom you really love. 22:2a Whereas Ishmael was Abraham’s first son (Gen 16), Isaac was Abraham’s only son ( only son of promise - Gen 15:1-4). Isaac depicted CHRIST , God’s only promised SON (Heb 11:17-19, Jn 3:16 and I Jn 4:9). 22:2b Jesus was crucified here on Mt. Moriah 1,891 years later (AD 32) (Mt 27:26-50 and Jn 19:17). 22:2c Isaac here pictured CHRIST , who was “offered ” for the sins of mankind (Lev 4:27-35, Jn 1:29 and Rev 13:8). 22:2d The “ BURNT OFFERING ” depicted CHRIST (Exo 12 and Lev 1). 22:4 Everything about this story depicted CHRIST , even the “three days” ( thirdday ) it tookAbrahamand Isaac to travel fromBeersheba to Jerusalem. According to Exodus 12:3-6, the Passover lamb (which depicted CHRIST ) was to be carried on the heart of its owner for three days before bringing it to the place of sacrifice. In the same manner Isaac was carried on the heart of his father for three days before bringing him to the place of sacrifice. 22:5a This word ( lad ) does not infer that Isaac was a little child here. Arthur W. Pink in Gleanings in Genesis notes: This was no half grown boy (as pictures so often represent Isaac), but a full-grown man who is here brought before us, one who could, had he so wished, have easily resisted the aged patriarch. 1 22:5b This word ( come ) is plural in number and literally means “ we will come again to you.” God promised Abraham in Genesis 21:12 that his son Isaac would bring forth the MESSIAH . Therefore Abraham’s belief that his son would return with him from the dead stemmed fromhis partial understanding of the resurrection. Like David (Psa 2:7 & 16:9-10), Job (Job 19:25-26), Isaiah (Isa 53:10 & 55:3), Jonah (Jonah 1:17), and other OT prophets, Abrahammay not have known every detail concerning the Gospel of Christ ( I Pet 1:10,12 ), but he certainly understood enough of it to be saved (Jn 8:56, Heb 11:17-19, I Cor 15:49-54, Rom 4:1-5 and Gal 3:6-8). Larry Richards in Every Man in the Bible notes: Abraham was willing to offer his son Isaac because he was convinced that God could raise Isaac from the dead if that were necessary to keep His promise. 2 According to Carol Kent in When I Lay My Isaac Down , our “Isaacs” are the heart sacrifices we make when we choose to relinquish control and honor God with our choices even when all seems lost. We have to decide if we will let go of our control over a person, situation, or event, or if we will hang on for dear life and refuse to relinquish something we cherish. 3 22:6 Abraham obliged Isaac to carry the wood because Isaac depicted CHRIST (Heb 11:17-19), who would eventually carry his own cross to the same hill 1800 years later (Jn 19:17). John R. Rice in Genesis notes: God had Calvary in mind centuries ahead. If the proposed interrupted sacrifice of Isaac was a picture of the death of Christ, let it be on the same hill! 4 22:8a This word ( HIMSELF ) is a reflexive pronoun in the Hebrew language. Meaning: Abraham understood that God Himself would become the sacrificial LAMB for the sins of mankind ( Jn 1:29a and Isa 59:16 ). 22:8b Abraham and Isaac ( both of them ) may not have known every detail concerning the Gospel of CHRIST ( Lk 18:34 and I Pet 1:10,12 ), but they certainly understood enough of it to be saved (Heb 11:17-20, Jn 8:56, Rom 4:1-5, Gal 3:6-8 and I Cor 15:1 ). Later on, Isaac would prophesy that the MESSIAH would come through his son Jacob (Gen 27:26-29). 22:9 Abraham isn’t the only one with an “Isaac” in his life. Each of us has an “Isaac” in our life that needs to be dealt with. Our “Isaac” is at the center of all our attention and affection. It could be a possession, an ambition, money, or even another person. Like Abraham, it is important that we identify our “Isaac” and bring it before the Lord and place it upon His altar . 115

1 Pink, Arthur W. Gleanings in Genesis , Chicago, ILL, Moody Press, 1922. Print. 2 Richards, Larry. Every Man in the Bible , Nashville, TN, Thomas Nelson, 1999. Print. 3 Kent, Carol. When I Lay My Isaac Down , Canada, Navpress, 2004. Print. 4 Rice, John R. Genesis , Murfreesboro, Tenn., Sword of the Lord Pub, 1975. Print.