In Chapter 22 of the Book of Genesis, we read the account of Abraham’s willing intent to sacrifice his son, Isaac – often called the Binding of Isaac.

The narrative details God’s command to Abraham to take Isaac on the three-day journey to Moriah where he would offer his son as a burnt offering. Isaac, most likely in his late twenties or early thirties at the time, was unmindful of the Lord’s directive. Hence, his question of his father just prior to their departure was proffered in innocence:

“Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Genesis 22:7(b)

Abraham’s response not only provided momentary assurance for Isaac but, more crucially, foreshadowed God’s plan for the redemption of humanity:

And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” So the two of them went together. Genesis 22:8

At the time, the law had not been given to Moses on Mt. Sinai specifying the circumstances under which various offerings were to be given. The only burnt offering documented in scripture prior to this was that of Noah in Genesis 8:20-21:

“Then Noah built an altar to the Lord, and took of every clean animal and of every clean bird, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. And the Lord smelled a soothing aroma. Then the Lord said in His heart, “I will never again curse the ground for man’s sake, although the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; nor will I again destroy every living thing as I have done.”

As we learn in scripture, a burnt offering was a voluntary sacrifice, typically of an unblemished bull, sheep, goat or bird. The animal was completely consumed by fire on an altar as an act of worship to God signifying total consecration, devotion and atonement for sin.

In this case, the sacrifice was to be not an animal or bird, but Abraham’s only son born of his wife, Sarah.

Abraham was willing to sacrifice Isaac because he believed God would raise him from the dead. He had faith in God’s promise that “in Isaac your seed shall be called” (Genesis 21:12(b)). Indeed, as we read in James 2:21-23, Abraham’s faith was completed by his actions:

Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God.

God did not mandate burnt sacrifices because He needed them; rather, they were established as a divine means of grace to allow sinful humans to approach and remain in the presence of a holy God.

Of course, such rationale does not satisfy many skeptics who question God’s redemptive plan. And, to be honest, His plan indeed requires trust in the Father’s omniscience, omnipotence and love for His creation.

Scripture teaches us that “without shedding of blood there is no remission.” (Hebrews 9:22) I confess that I do not fully understand why a loving God would require the sacrifice of a living creature to satisfy His wrath and atone for man’s sin. Nor do I believe I am supposed to in its entirety.

What I do understand is this: God’s plan intended that the blood of bulls and goats would be but a temporary means of atonement for sin – that He had a much more awesome design for removing the barrier of sin that precluded His creation from fellowship with Him…

For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins. (Hebrews 10:4)

That plan indeed included a blood sacrifice – a sacrifice not of bulls, goats or birds – but of His only begotten Son. In His great love, God not only gave us the road map to perpetual fellowship with Him, He provided the sacrifice! The great plan of God the Father, God the Son and God the Spirit came together at the cross – a once for eternity atonement for the sins of those who believe in Him.

We know, of course, that as Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to sacrifice his son, he was interrupted by the Angel of the Lord:

“Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.” Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son. (Genesis 22:12-13)

As He did for Abraham, God has provided the sacrifice – the ultimate sacrifice for those who, like Abraham, fear God and put their faith in Christ Jesus.