The Binding of Isaac
An embarrassment of riches. I don’t remember where I first heard the term; but it works so, so very well! Sometimes, there are so many good things, so many just right things, that it can almost be “embarrassing.” So many really quality wide receivers. A plethora of choices at the store. A ton of good ideas for that job. Personally, the phrase works for a multitude of things in my life—my family, my church, my co-workers, and more. In thinking through this week’s text for the sermon, I was again overcome by “an embarrassment of riches,” for this passage of the Bible is so, so very rich.
Every time we come to the Bible, we see God’s redemptive history—we have a piece of the plan to save the world from sin. But, there is almost always an important ethical or application to our daily lives and, biblical-theological reflection into our God and His ways. And, it is all built upon a rigorous interpretation of the Scripture as a whole. But when we come to “The Binding of Isaac,” we have so much here to explore!
Chapter 22 of Genesis is in every respect a pivotal chapter in not only the book, but in the entirety of redemptive history. This has been recognized throughout Christian history, and also in Jewish and Islamic faith. All three world religions look at the events of Genesis 22 as fundamental to their respective faiths (note: in Islam, Isaac’s role is replaced by Ismael). Not only is the storyline itself full of drama and excitement, but it so very rich in theology, in exegesis, and in faith application.
Consider: Exegesis
How do we interpret this story? On one level, of course, this is just a record of what took place—God tested Abraham, and the chapter details Abraham’s response. But, in the context of Genesis as a whole, where God is beginning to work out His plan of salvation, to bring a Savior to the world, a descendant of Abraham himself, what would it mean for Isaac to be sacrificed? The New Testament clearly answers this question (see Hebrews 11).
Consider: Theology
Everyone is taken by the conclusion of the story, that
instead of Isaac, God provides a substitute offering. What could prefigure the
work of Christ more? About two thousand years later, God will follow the same
pattern, offering His own Son in our stead. What a great picture!
Consider: Daily Christian Application
Abraham is near-universally lifted up as a role model for faith. Confronted with circumstances beyond belief, Abraham nevertheless has faith in the Lord. How does Abraham’s actions and response to God’s command here serve as a model for our own daily journey with the Lord?
Each of these, and others I could list, could form the basis of a great study of Genesis 22—in terms of how we might grow in light of this passage, we have an embarrassment of riches! As we will not be able to touch on all of these issues on Sunday morning, I encourage you to spend time before and after the worship service, exploring this text: God’s Word is riches beyond belief!
For Sunday this week, read Genesis 22.
1. In verse 1, God “tests” Abraham. That is not normally how
we think of God interacting with us. Does God still “test” His people? How do
we know when He is testing us?
2. Abraham responds to God’s call with, “Here I am.” Now,
that probably is just a way of saying, “yes?” But, what else can we say of such
a response?
3. Speculate on why God tells Abraham to sacrifice Isaac.
What might God be doing here? Note He wants Isaac to be offered as a burnt
offering. What might the “burnt offering” part be all about?
4. Verse 3 tells us that Abraham arose early in the morning
to do God’s bidding. Why might he have started early in the morning, and what
might that say about our own experience?
5. When Abraham tells Isaac in verse 8 that “God will
provide a lamb,” does this represent Abraham’s faith? Why else might he have
said that to Isaac?
6. Why does the angel prevent Abraham from following
through? Does this mean that Abraham was being duped by God?
7. Abraham names the place: “God will provide,” which obviously looks forward to Christ. How can we apply that attitude to the events in our daily lives?
