Journey through the Book of Genesis with me.  The plan is simple. Read ONE chapter a day. Blog or journal 5* things you learned that you previously didn't know and ask 5* questions about the chapter that you'll ponder all week. Let's go!

** You'll probably learn way more than 5 things and have more than 5 questions about each chapter. That's totally fine. The more the merrier! 

GENESIS 22:1-24

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

QUESTION 1: Why did Abraham need to be tested at all?

QUESTION 2: What was Isaac's reaction to suddenly being "bound" by his father? Did he yield willingly or did he protest and struggle to break free?

QUESTION 3: Did this event scar Isaac emotionally? He did suffer any father wounds as a result of almost being slaughtered by dad? What was their relationship like after this event?

QUESTION 4: What was the purpose of this test? God knows all things and He knew the content of Abraham's heart. So why make him go through this rather painful experience? Was this more for Abraham's benefit?

QUESTION 5: How might God's covenant promise to Abraham have changed (if at all) had Abraham refused to offer Isaac as a sacrifice? This promise has previously been made and guaranteed by a swearing of sorts (so, could Abraham's refusal to sacrifice Isaac have nullified the promise?)

WHAT I LEARNED

INSIGHT 1: God's instructions to Abraham are not for the fainthearted. Each instance requires a great step of faith, yet Abraham "knocks it out of the park" each time by obediently and promptly responding. 

• Starting in Genesis 12:1, "Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go... to the land that I will show you.", then in verse 4, it says, "Abram went..."
• Here in Genesis 22:2-3, it says, "[God] said [to Abraham], “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go... [to] one of the mountains of which I shall tell you", then in verse 3, it says, "So Abraham rose early in the morning... and took... his son Isaac."

Abraham was truly a friend of God!

INSIGHT 2: Though a troubling question, Isaac's query of his father in verse 7 is evidence that Abraham raised him in the way of the Lord so that Isaac knew enough to go, "Hey, dad... uh, something's missing in this sacrifice."

INSIGHT 3: Abraham's actions in verse 9-10 read as if he acted without emotion, but this would have been a costly act. As a father, I have to imagine this was the hardest thing Abraham had ever had to do [not to mention having to wait 15 years to finally have a son]. Yet, verse 5 and verse 8 would suggest he trusted that God would somehow save his son even if he had to first let him go.

INSIGHT 4: The "switch" [a ram for Isaac] is an encouraging reminder that God Himself will provide the sacrifice required from me to appease His wrath. One shall stand [and has stood!] in my place to bear a cost I cannot pay! Romans 4:25, "He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification"