Genesis 22:2 records the test of Abraham in which God told Abraham to take his son, his only son (Isaac), whom he loved to the land of Moriah and offer him there as a sacrifice (burnt offering) upon one of the mountains that God was going to tell him. Now cursorily it may seem unkind of God to even make such a request but closer scrutiny reveals something that is very profound.
This was a revelation of God’s plan of Salvation for all of mankind. If I can take the liberty to suggest, for a moment, imagine God to be in introspection speaking with himself the same words he told Abraham, instead of speaking with Abraham. In this situation, this is God telling himself – I have to take my son, my only Son Jesus, whom I love (for Jesus is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased) and take him to the land chosen by me (Jehovah), a land of bitterness (for the two common meanings of the word Moriah are: chosen by Jehovah or land of bitterness) and offer him there upon one of the mountains (the mount of Golgotha, aka Calvary).
Now God’s test of Abraham seems a lot less unkind, doesn’t it?
Points to ponder:
God’s test of Abraham to offer his only son was a test God had to take of himself. God so loved the world that he took his son, his only Son Jesus, who was the begotten and beloved Son and brought him to the world of bitterness (Ephesians 4:30-32) in which we live and offered him as an offering (a perfect sacrifice) on a Cross on the mount of Golgotha (or Country). God’s offer of his only Son was for you and me. Have you accepted his offer?
Genesis 22:2 (KJV)
2 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.
