Study From the Book of Genesis,22

Study From the Book of Genesis,22

Today we study chapter 22 of the Book of Genesis. I choose two biblical principles and their lessons which are useful in Biblical Counselling.

Without question, this narrative is one of the most shocking and memorable in the whole Bible. And yet it is one of the finest texts describing the loyalty of the Lord to His covenant and His servant Abraham. It also reveals remarkable faith on the part of Abraham. It also reveals remarkable faith on the part of Sarah, and Isaac and points to the future sacrifice of God’s only Son, Jesus.

God tested Abraham to show his true character.  Abraham had one son by Hagar and as we learn later he had six sons by Katurah. But only Isaac was uniquely born. The same idea is in the description of Jesus, the only begotten Son (John 3:16).  For only begotten one is also used to describe Isaac in Hebrew.  He was the unique child in whom all the promises of God resided.

Nothing is said of Abraham’s thoughts, or the thoughts of the boy’s mother. All we read is the account of father’s complete obedience to God. If the servants had accompanied Abraham and his son to the sacrifice site, they might have tried to restrain him from his awful deed.  So, Abraham told them to stay with the donkey. Abraham told the servants, “We are determined to go and we are determined to worship, and we are determined to return.” This is a complete faith in God. So even if his son would be sacrificed, God is faithful to bring him back to life. Also, it is noted that the complete obedience of Isaac that corresponds to the complete obedience of the Lord Jesus to the order of His Father.

However, at the last moment, God spoke to Abraham from heaven, twice called out his name. The word used of “determined “is an instant response. Abraham was just about to strike his son, then God stopped his hands. Certainly, God knew ahead of time how this event would end. But in these words, God stood beside His servant Abraham and applauded his complete trust.

God provided a ram instead of Abraham’s son, so one day He would provide His own Son! It was on Moriah where Jerusalem and the temple were built and where the Saviour would die on the Cross.

God then swore by Himslef under complete obligation of doubling the blessings of Abraham and his seed. At times the term “seed” refers to a large number of descendants; at other times it refers to one unique descendant, the Coming One. The seed was Isaac; and by extension the Jewish nation, and the Lord Jesus.

The family of Nahor had first been noted at ch.11:19. It is touching to observe that there was correspondence between two the families; but this genealogical notice also leads to the birth of Rebekah, who would figure significantly in the story to follow. This little piece of text is one of the family histories that helps tie the Bible together.

Structure

Verses: 1-19: Abraham’s faith confirmed.

Verses 20-24: the family of Nahor.

Principle 38: verse 22:1: ---“Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham.”

Lesson 38: God permits testing for all of His children, including His own son, Jesus Christ (Matt.4:1). For Abraham, this had to be a dark time-but it lasted only so long as was necessary for God to accomplish His purpose in Abraham’s life.

Principle 39: 22:18: -----“In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”

Lesson 39: God always blesses obedience, and obedience always follows genuine faith. If we do not obey, it is because we do not believe (Heb.3:18:19). 1/2/2026.