Genesis:22

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* Verse 1 ,2 - We never are secure from trials In Hebrew , to tempt , and to try , or to prove , are expressed by the same word . Every trial is indeed a temptation , and tends to show the dispositions of the heart , whether holy or unholy . But God proved Abraham , not to draw him to sin , as Satan tempts . Strong faith is often exercised with strong trials , and put upon hard services . The command to offer up his son , is given in such language as makes the trial more grievous ; every word here is a sword . Observe , 1 . The person to be offered : Take thy son ; not thy bullocks and thy lambs . How willingly would Abraham have parted with them all to redeem Isaac ! Thy son ; not thy servant . Thine only son ; thine only son by Sarah . Take Isaac , that son whom thou lovest . 2 . The place : three days ' journey off ; so that Abraham might have time to consider , and might deliberately obey . 3 . The manner : Offer him fro a burnt-offering ; not only kill his son , his Isaac , but kill him as a sacrifice ; kill him with all that solemn pomp and ceremony , with which he used to offer his burnt-offerings . * Verse 3-10 - Never was any gold tried in so hot a fire . Who but Abraham would not have argued with God ? Such would have been the thought of a weak heart ; but Abraham knew that he had to do with a God , even Jehovah . Faith had taught him not to argue , but to obey . He is sure that what God commands is good ; that what he promises cannot be broken . In matters of God , whoever consults with flesh and blood , will never offer up his Isaac to God . The good patriarch rises early , and begins his sad journey . And now he travels three days , and Isaac still is in his sight ! Misery is made worse when long continued . The expression , We will come again to you , shows that Abraham expected that Isaac , being raised from the dead , would return with him . It was a very affecting question that Isaac asked him , as they were going together : "My father ," said Isaac ; it was a melting word , which , one would think , should strike deeper in the heart of Abraham , than his knife could in the heart of Isaac . Yet he waits for his son 's question . Then Abraham , where he meant not , prophesies : "My son , God will provide a lamb for a burnt-offering ." The Holy Spirit , by his mouth , seems to predict the Lamb of God , which he has provided , and which taketh away the sin of the world . Abraham lays the wood in order for his Isaac 's funeral pile , and now tells him the amazing news : Isaac , thou art the lamb which God has provided ! Abraham , no doubt , comforting him with the same hopes with which he himself by faith was comforted . Yet it is necessary that the sacrifice be bound . The great Sacrifice , which , in the fulness of time , was to be offered up , must be bound , and so must Isaac . This being done , Abraham takes the knife , and stretches out his hand to give the fatal blow . Here is an act of faith and obedience , which deserves to be a spectacle to God , angels , and men . God , by his providence , calls us to part with an Isaac sometimes , and we must do it with cheerful submission to his holy will , 1st Samuel strkjv @3:18 . * Verse 11-14 - It was not God 's intention that Isaac should actually be sacrificed , yet nobler blood than that of animals , in due time , was to be shed for sin , even the blood of the only begotten Son of God . But in the mean while God would not in any case have human sacrifices used . Another sacrifice is provided . Reference must be had to the promised Messiah , the blessed Seed . Christ was sacrificed in our stead , as this ram instead of Isaac , and his death was our discharge . And observe , that the temple , the place of sacrifice , was afterwards built upon this same mount Moriah ; and Calvary , where Christ was crucified , was near . A new name was given to that place , for the encouragement of all believers , to the end of the world , cheerfully to trust in God , and obey him . Jehovah-jireh , the Lord will provide ; probably alluding to what Abraham had said , God will provide himself a lamb . The Lord will always have his eye upon his people , in their straits and distresses , that he may give them seasonable help . * Verse 15-19 - There are high declarations of God 's favour to Abraham in this confirmation of the covenant with him , exceeding any he had yet been blessed with . Those that are willing to part with any thing for God , shall have it made up to them with unspeakable advantage . The promise , ver .18 , doubtless points at the Messiah , and the grace of the gospel . Hereby we know the loving-kindness of God our Saviour towards sinful man , in that he hath not withheld his Son , his only Son , from us . Hereby we perceive the love of Christ , in that he gave himself a sacrifice for our sins . Yet he lives , and calls to sinners to come to him , and partake of his blood-bought salvation . He calls to his redeemed people to rejoice in him , and to glorify him . What then shall we render for all his benefits ? Let his love constrain us to live not to ourselves , but to Him who died for us , and rose again . Admiring and adoring His grace , let us devote our all to his service , who laid down his life for our salvation . Whatever is dearest to us upon earth is our Isaac . And the only way for us to find comfort in an earthly thing , is to give it by faith into the hands of God . Yet remember that Abraham was not justified by his readiness to obey , but by the infinitely more noble obedience of Jesus Christ ; his faith receiving this , relying on this , rejoicing in this , disposed and made him able for such wonderful self-denial and duty . * Verse 20-24 - This chapter ends with some account of Nahor 's family , who had settled at Haran . This seems to be given for the connexion which it had with the church of God . From thence Isaac and Jacob took wives ; and before the account of those events this list is recorded . It shows that though Abraham saw his own family highly honoured with privileges , admitted into covenant , and blessed with the assurance of the promise , yet he did not look with disdain upon his relations , but was glad to hear of the increase and welfare of their families . **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary ****

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