How could anyone ever doubt Abraham’s love for God after he offered up his only son Isaac to Him? Here’s a more personal question: how could we ever doubt God’s love for us when He offered up Jesus?
Photo by: Aaron Burden
Did you know that Abraham saw the coming of Jesus? Jesus told the Jews, “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad” (Jn. 8:56 NASB). I wonder if the offering of Isaac is where Abraham saw Jesus.
The offering of Isaac parallels Jesus in many ways. I believe it also reveals the deep emotion God felt in offering His only Son for us. As you read some of the parallels don’t miss the emotions these fathers and sons had to have felt.
Both Sons Were Dearly Loved, Only Sons
Isaac: “Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering” (Gen. 22:2 NLT).
Jesus: “And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy’” (Matt. 3:17 NLT).
This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy (Matt. 3:17). Click To Tweet
Third Day Hope
Isaac: “On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance” (Gen. 22:4). “We will come back to you” (Gen. 22:5).
Jesus: “He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life” (Matt. 16:21).
Wood for the Sacrifice
Isaac: “Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac” (Gen. 22:6).
Jesus: “Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull” (Jn. 19:17).
Father and Son Working Together
Isaac: “As the two of them went on together” (Gen. 22:6).
Jesus: “For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself” (2 Cor. 5:19 NLT).
Where Is the Lamb?
Isaac: “Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, ‘Father?…The fire and wood are here, …but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?’” (Gen. 22:7).
Jesus: “‘Abba, Father,’ he cried out, ‘everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine’” (Mark 14:36 NLT).
God Would Provide the Lamb
Isaac: “God himself will provide the lamb. …Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns” (Gen. 22:8, 13).
Jesus: “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’” (Jn.1:29).
The Thorns
Isaac: The ram’s head was caught in a thicket of thorns (Gen. 22:13).
Jesus: Jesus wore a crown of thorns (Matt. 27:29).
The Lord Will Provide
Isaac: The ram was sacrificed on Mount Moriah instead of Isaac (Gen. 22:2, 9). “So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, ‘On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided’” (Gen. 22:14).
Jesus: “But now, once for all time, he [Christ] has appeared at the end of the age to remove sin by his own death as a sacrifice” (Heb. 9:26 NLT).
He Loves You so Much
No one, after reading this story, can doubt Abraham’s devotion to God. So when you are tempted to question God’s love for you, remember:
- As Abraham loved God so much that he didn’t withhold his only son, so God loved you so much that He gave His only Son (John 3:16).
- As Isaac trusted his father enough to climb on the altar, so Jesus trusted His Father enough to climb on the cross (Jn. 10:17-18).
If we can’t doubt Abraham’s love for God, then how can we question our heavenly Father’s love for us?
When your heart asks, “Lord, how much do You love me?” Remember Jesus’ outstretched arms on the cross answer, “This much!”
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Blessing,
Debbie W. Wilson
Sometimes I link up with these great sites:
#IntentialTuesday, #w2wwordfilledwednesday, #Wedded Wednesday, #Women with Intention, #LivefreeThursday, #Thankful Thursdays, #Grace and Truth, #Dance with Jesus,
Having just left the Islamic Eid season, the story of Abraham has really come to life. It seemed the whole of Egypt shut down to honor the provision of God and the faithfulness of Abraham. Thank you for showing the parallels to Christ.
Ralph, what an amazing experience you are having being in that culture. Thank you for reminding us of how Abraham’s faithfulness still impacts the world.
I am truly blessed and comforted by knowing how much God loves me. Thank you for this great message today Debbie.
I am too, Melissa. I’m glad God set His story in a context we can understand.
What a powerful and beautiful reminder of His unfathomable love for us. I often think about how much I love my two boys – I couldn’t sacrifice either of them for someone else – much less someone who didn’t even love me! But He did and I’m forever grateful.
Ann, I agree. This is beyond comprehension. How great a Savior we have!
I was not aware of all of these parallels! It is beautiful how God uses the history of the old testament to whisper Christ’s name, and tell of his coming.
It certainly is, Kaylin! I loved thinking about this.
Wow, Debbie! I’ve never seen the many correlations that now seem so obvious! I’ve thought about the correlation certainly of Jesus to Isaac and maybe the ram metaphor but had never thought through all the other tie-ins. Our God is such an amazing Weaver of details and we miss so much. I’m glad you helped to open my eyes to this, my friend!
Beth, this passage moves me deeply. When God describes Isaac I hear Him describing His deeply loved, only Son.
What a great post my friend! I love the parallels you drew over and over again to help knead into our hearts, minds, and spirits the truth of His love for us! I never tire of such reminders!! Blessings and love to you!
Thank you, Pam. I love how God has shown us His love in so many ways. Bless you!
I’ve never thought about when Abraham saw Jesus. You have me wondering too if if was at the offering of Isaac. It would have been a perfect place to see Jesus because He was the sacrifice for us. I’m so thankful for God’s love, life would awful without it. Thanks for sharing with Thankful Thursdays.
Thank you, Lori. I’m so very thankful Jesus gave Himself for us and for this illustration of what it cost our Father.