Genesis 22:11 Commentary and Bible Study

Abraham has reached the point where nothing more stands in the way of his obedience to God in this devastating act of offering up Isaac. He has overcome every obstacle and proved that he puts God’s will above every other consideration. God does not intend that he should go ahead with this, and never did – it was a test of Abraham’s obedience of faith – but it would not be a real test if Abraham did not believe that God really wanted him to do it. The interruption by the Angel of the Lord had therefore to come at the very last moment, when the act was almost done. The call when it comes is very urgent: ‘Abraham, Abraham.’ It is the angel of the Lord, and this angel is none other than the pre-incarnate Christ. All the angel of the Lord references in the Old Testament refer to Christ. We know this because of the attributes of this angel, and the response of those who were spoken to, which receives the approval of inspiration. The angel of the Lord had appeared to Hagar, and in response ‘she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?’ (Genesis 16:13).‘And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God.’ God always knew, but it is established publicly, demonstrated for all posterity. It is demonstrated for all to see; it can go on the record. Abraham's faith would be applied that he would trust in God he would trust in God no matter what. The demonstration of his faith has been made and the powers of darkness have observed, and Satan sees the proof of another true work of God. All will know that Abraham has a deep reverence, obedient faith – ‘seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.’ And so God stays the act. Isaac is a type of the Lord Jesus Christ, particularly in this act of submission. There in verse 9 he goes like a lamb to the slaughter, just as Christ did. He was of miraculous birth. Of course he was Abraham's true son, whereas Christ was conceived of the Holy Spirit, and yet Isaac’s birth was miraculous in that Sarah's womb was brought back to life. He was a long-promised child, promised by God, like Christ. He was Abraham's only son, and Christ was the Father's only son. And if Isaac is a type of Christ, Abraham is a type of the Father. He is given a unique insight into what it cost the Father to give his Son. ‘God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life’ (John 3:16). Abraham understood just a little of what the Father would feel as he veiled his face and punished his Son on our behalf, so that Christ could make atonement for our sins and we could be forgiven. But whereas Abraham was spared the horror of offering up Isaac, God the Father must carry this through to the bitter end and offer up his Son, not just to death but to eternal torment.