Monday, November 13, 2006, Part 2

"By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, 'In Isaac your seed shall be called,' concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense" (Hebrews 11:17-19).

IDEA: The testing of Abraham in being willing to sacrifice Isaac is one of the most significant passages in the entire Bible.

PURPOSE: To help listeners see how that episode carries such significance for both Christians and Jews. 

One of the most dramatic passages in the Bible is in Genesis 22:1-19. Not only is it dramatic, but it is also significant.

I. Genesis 22 has great dramatic flow to it. 

II. Abraham's dramatic test of faith held a significant place in both Christian and Jewish traditions.

It is significant for Christians.

Hebrews 11:17-19 focuses on it: "By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, 'In Isaac your seed shall be called,' concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense."

James 2:20-23 focuses on it: "Do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 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."

Christian sermons have focused on this event because preachers have used Isaac as a type of Jesus and the event as a foreshadowing of what happened at Calvary.

Abraham's dramatic test of faith was also significant for Jews.

Based on Genesis 22:9, which states that Abraham "bound" Isaac, this episode was designated as the Aqedah which means "binding" in Hebrew.

In Jewish literature it was celebrated as the great example of faithfulness and obedience to God.

1 Maccabees 2:52 states, "Was not Abraham found faithful when tested" [by God]?

That thought is repeated elsewhere in Jewish literature, e.g., Sirach 44:20.

III. Why do you think this episode in Abraham's life held such significance?