Commentary: Genesis 22 Part Three: "Interesting Details"

(Please read "Disclaimer" March 27, 2007 for explanation of this article)

Part three of the drama in Genesis 22! Thank you for your patience! I hope that they have ignited a passion and hunger in you to want to delve deeper into the Word of God! Feel free to use them as study tools!

Two Hints: There are several repeated words and phrases throughout the drama, which indicate significance. First, “your son, your only son,” plays a key role in depicting the type of sacrifice God was requiring from Abraham. Moreover, it is a shadow of the One and Only Son of God, who would be sacrificed on behalf of mankind.

Another repeated phrase, “God will provide.” This depicts the very purpose of the drama, which is to describe another aspect of God’s character; He is a provider. The narrative also repeats the words “burnt offering,” which is the pinnacle of the story; an offering of sacrifice to God in obedience to His command is essential for those in His service. Later, another offering is presented to God, a Lamb (analogous with the lamb that was missing in this story), to satisfy the justice and wrath of a Holy God in heaven; a Lamb that God Himself provided for His people.

Second, there are also noticeable details in the text. The “early morning,” as mentioned previously, serves several purposes. It not only indicates Abraham’s quick response to the Lord, it may also serve as a teaching tool to describe a “proper” form of worship, later depicted by several other characters in scripture: “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” (Mk. 1:35)

Another reference of time in verse 4, “On the third day,” is a very significant detail. It infers Abraham’s waiting upon the Lord as well as a picture of the third day, when the True Sacrifice was presented to the throne of God in Heaven. Verse 9 shows that the wood was laid on the back of Isaac, another shadow of the cross that Christ would bear.

Moreover, this sacrifice is a “burnt offering.” God’s judgment is conducted by fire; furthermore, fire symbolizes purification. The burnt offering, was indicating that Isaac was serving as the remission for Abraham’s sins. He is an innocent substitute for the purpose of presenting Abraham pure before a Holy God, and satisfying the judgment of God on a sinful man, which is also later reenacted by the Son of Heaven on behalf of mankind.

Finally, it is interesting to note that it is a ram caught in the thicket, and caught by his horns. Horns symbolize strength in scripture; and rams, bulls, and other males of herding or cattle animals were prized by their owners, who kept and nourished them specifically for breeding. Thus, this ram is another representative of Jesus, the Prized Son of the Heavens, Who restrained His strength in meekness and submission to the Father’s good will, and donned the crown of thorns (thicket) to take the place of man’s sin upon the altar of the Cross (wood).

To Him be all honor and glory and praise! Amen.