This story rubs some people the wrong way, understandably so. However, what this short-hand version leaves out is the stuff that makes the terrifying command make a lot more sense. It's not unusual that someone who is only familiar with this version will ask "What would you do if God told you to kill someone you love?" expecting to put you in a catch 22 situation where you either have to admit you'd be willing to murder, or you'd be willing to disobey God. What is missing is a lot of important context. (Context, as usual).
Abraham's story and his walk with God begins long before Isaac was even born. By the time this famous event happens, there has been a lot of history between the patriarch and Yahweh. This is not the same as someone in modern day who has never heard the voice of God, but suddenly one day hears him tell them to begin killing.
The story of the Binding of Isaac, as some call it, is found in Genesis 22, however Abraham (or Abram as he was previously known) is first met in Genesis 12. The book of Genesis follows his walk with God throughout until around chapter 25 when his son and grandson, Isaac and Jacob, become the main players.
Genesis 12 introduces us to God's promise to Abraham about making his descendants a great nation in a chosen land. According to verse four, Abraham was seventy-five years old when he was given this promise. We can probably assume that Abram's relationship with God prior to this had been on reasonably good terms.
The following chapters tell us how Abram and his family moved to Canaan and settled there, how Abram's nephew Lot moved to the Jordan valley so that both families would have enough room for their livestock, Abram 's relationship with his wife, dealings with kings, and the birth of Ishmael, all the while God kept reminding them of his promise.
In Chapter 17, God tells Abraham who was at this point either 99 or 100 years old, that he would have a son called Isaac. In verse 19, God explicitly states that Isaac will be the son that God uses to fulfil his promise and establish a convenant.
So by this point we have seen a long lasting relationship, bond, and friendship between God and Abraham. Abraham speaks to him in clear language, not using symbols or visions or anything like that. In Chapter 18 Abraham clearly meets God face to face. Hagar had met him in Chapter 16, so it's possible, if not likely, that this was not the first time for him (Gen 12:7, 15:1). Abraham walked with God literally as well as figuratively.
In the second half of Chapter 18, Abraham even seems to almost argue with God when it becomes clear that he intends to destroy the people of Sodom. God tells Abraham that he would not destroy anyone who is righteous, and would even spare the wicked if doing otherwise would endanger good people.
This is clearly a strong relationship, built on trust. Abraham and God are friends.
When Abraham was 100 years old, Isaac was born. With this event we have already learned in the previous chapters a number of important facts:
- Abraham and God were great friends
- Their relationship had been strong for at least 25 years
- God had repeatedly promised Abraham that his descendants would become a great nation
- He had told him that he would never kill someone righteous
- God had promised that Isaac would be the one he makes his covenant with
All this information is important as it informs what happens in Chapter 22.
God asks Abraham to offer Isaac as a burnt sacrifice to him, and so Abraham begins to prepare. He does not move to argue or question like he did in Chapter 18, which should strike a reader as odd that he would do that for strangers, but not his beloved son.
In verse five there is a very telling point that can be easily missed. Abraham tells his servants to wait and that "I and the boy will go over there and worship and come back to you."
In this one sentence we can see that Abraham has confidence that whatever happens on the mountain, Isaac will be walking back home with him. He knows that God does not break promises, he knows that God promised that Isaac would become a patriarch, and he knows that God does not kill the righteous. All this information tells him that Isaac was not in any danger.
Shortly after, in verse 8, Abraham says something else that shows his confidence. When Isaac asks him that they are going to sacrifice, Abraham responds that "God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son."
Now many sceptics are likely to suggest that in these passages Abraham was lying, and hoping he would think of an excuse later after he had killed his son. However, as we have seen, the context of Abraham's many years walking and talking with God tell us that Isaac was not in danger.
Genesis 22:9-10 is probably the most difficult section for a reader to deal with. Abraham looked very much as though he was going to go through with the sacrifice. Perhaps he was. Perhaps he imagined that God would resurrect Isaac afterwards (Hebrews 11:19).
Abraham ties Isaac up and laid him on the altar. Sceptics imagine at this stage the child Isaac must be screaming and crying in terror and trying to escape as his wild-eyed father brandishes a knife against him. But more important details are missing from this scene.
Remember that Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born. Isaac was now grown. Although he was still referred to as a 'boy', according to 21:20-21, enough time had passed for his brother to grow into a man, become an expert archer, and take a wife. Most commentaries put Isaac's age at somewhere between 25 and 30.
Now try to re-imagine the scene in Genesis 22 with that information in mind. It makes no sense whatsoever that a 100 year old man could overpower a young man in his prime and tie him to an altar. Isaac must have been willing to lie there. He must have had the same trust in God that his father did. They were both expecting something to happen that would make this all right.
This may be seen in the fact the the chapter records no complaint or struggle or objection from either Isaac or Abraham. They both go along with it.
It is at that point that God steps in and provides the ram, and tells them not to complete the human sacrifice. Here the entire event becomes another picture of what Jesus would do for all people, offering himself in place of mankind in response to their trust in him.
