Genesis 22:1-19 and Yahweh Yireh

Akedah—The Binding. How often do you think Abraham relived this event in his memory? It probably came to mind often. How often do you think Isaac thought about it? Today, we look at the most well-known event in Abraham’s life. In my studies this week, it has been fascinating to see how Judaism, Christianity, and Islam each understand this event.

In short, the Jewish mindset is focused on the oath God swears to Abraham for his faithfulness. The Christian, as we will see in a few weeks, focuses on the substitution of the ram. The Muslim believes it was Ishmael instead of Isaac that went up to Mt. Moriah to obediently sacrificed.  All are interested in faithfulness and obedience. All are interested in God’s provision.

But despite these three religions who value this text, many others know about it, too. Actually, one of the most sensational quotes I found regarding this passage is from a famous atheist named Christopher Hitchens: “I find a father holding a knife to his son’s throat to show his love to a totalitarian dictator wicked!”

In a way, he’s right, right? This is a very disturbing event. It is so disturbing that many people read it as allegorical—which means the event wasn’t real, but the truths of the story are real. Really, how could a “loving” God ask a father to kill his son as an act of worship?

And that would be a good argument if that was actually the plan. And here’s where so many get messed up: they believe that God intended for Abraham to kill Isaac as an act of worship or that God was deceiving Abraham about the sacrifice. Neither is true…and there are not just two options. There is a third.

God tested Abraham. (Scripture speaks of many testing events. I would say our own, personal journeys speak of them, too.) And it wasn’t an arbitrary test—God wasn’t bored and thought He could kill some time or have some fun with this event.

Testing is done to reveal achievement: “She passed the test with excellence.” Here was a test for Abraham to demonstrate obedience; to produce faith and piety; to discover authenticity; and have well-being. God wanted Abraham to reveal just how great his faith in God was.

And, although there is the line, “Now I know,” on God’s part…He knew. He knew the depth of Abraham’s potential faith, but now He sees it concretely worked out. Potential Faith…Free Will…Realized Faith.

But this testing is also for Abraham’s knowing. School seems to be all about testing. And testing is important. Why? Because it is important to know if learning has occurred. And what is better than knowing I passed: “I was challenged. I worked and willed my way through it. I passed the test. I met the challenge.” Abraham knew he was faithful.

Do you remember me talking about those alters of remembrance last week? Here is another—Abraham’s greatest. It was an altar of Abraham’s faithfulness and God’s Provision (Yahweh Yireh).

And he was rewarded with more than an “A” or “Good Job!” or gold star. Not only does Abraham walk down the mountain with Isaac, but God reiterates His promises to Abraham, but He does it in a way that is seen nowhere else in the Bible. He swears an oath by Himself. 

Here is the point that I want us to apply in our lives today. Abraham was committed to being faithful even when it appeared that God was going against God’s promise to Abraham. The dilemma was not Abraham’s to resolve. Instead, as one commentator I read this week said, “the issue lay with the Lord, not Abraham, for he left it to God to resolve the theological and moral problems He, Himself, created.”

And God made a way. Yahweh Yireh—God Provides.

What are those difficulties—those impossibilities!—that God has commanded of us? They might be little or gigantic in our lives, but it is God’s test none the less. Are we to being called to walk away from something sinful (like Abram in Genesis 12)? Is it a call to be marked as God’s holy ambassador (like Abraham in Genesis 17)? Is it a call to sacrifice the gift you have been Given? To trust God with your future (like today’s passage reads)?

Whatever it is…our part is to be faithful to God’s call on us…and let God provide the solution to any problems along the way.