Picture of the Gospel through Isaac

In Genesis 22, God tests Abraham’s faith when He commands him to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, as a burnt offering to the Lord. Abraham shows his complete faith in God by obeying Him (crazy, I know). Imagine this scene. Abraham and Isaac are walking together up the mountain, preparing for the burnt offering. Isaac carries the wood, and Abraham carries the fire and the knife. Abraham is thinking he’s about to sacrifice his only son, and Isaac has no idea. He asks his dad, “The fire and wood are here, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” (v. 7) Can you imagine that as a dad?! He takes Isaac, binds his hands and feet, places him on the altar, and draws his knife to pierce his heart. I can’t imagine what Abraham must have been thinking in that moment! But then, an angel appears and stops him. Abraham feared God to the point that he wouldn’t withhold his only son. The angel says, “Do not lay a hand on the boy! Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld your son, your only son.” (v. 12) A ram then appears behind him, entangled in the brush by his horns. He offers the ram as the burnt offering in the place of Isaac. God accepted the animal substitute. In the same way, true judgment demands that we die. The judgment must be executed. But Jesus Christ was the substitute offering. He died so that we don’t have to die! Pretty amazing stuff if you ask me.