Bible Stories for Adults

The Offering of Isaac

Genesis 22

Next Week - Isaac Marries Rebekah (Genesis 23-24)
Bible Words to Remember:
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1

What was the first part of God's promise to Abram?
Genesis 12:2-3 = I will make you into a great nation - Descendants
How did this part of the promise lead to doubt for Abram?
Genesis 15:2-3 = He was very old and had no children of his own
Did God answer Abram's doubts?
Genesis 15:4-6 = Yes, and Abram believed the Lord (trusted in the promise)

How did Abram try to help God with his promise after more years passed?
Genesis 16:1-2 = Build a family through Hagar, the Egyptian maidservant
Was Ishmael the child through whom God's covenant would be realized?
Genesis 16:11-12 = No, Ishmael and his descendants would be trouble-makers
Did Abram understand that Ishmael was not the promised child of the covenant?
Genesis 17:17-21 = No, Covenant would be established thru Isaac, son of Sarah

How old was Abraham when Isaac was born?
Genesis 21:1-5 = Abraham was 100 when God fulfilled promise to Sarah
Was this really a big deal since they lived longer back then (Abraham died at 175)?
Hebrews 11:11-12 = Abraham was past age & as good as dead; Sarah was barren

With the Child of the Covenant now born, how was the promise still threatened?
Genesis 21:8-10 = Abraham had an older son, Ishmael, who had first-born rights
Did Abraham agree with Sarah's concern and suggestion?
Genesis 21:11 = The matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son
How did he decide what to do?
Genesis 21:12-13 = God told him to do it; He would protect & bless Ishmael

What did Abraham do to guarantee that Isaac would inherit his blessings?
Genesis 21:14 = He sent Hagar & Ishmael away in the desert
Did God protect Ishmael as He had promised?
Genesis 21:15-21 = Yes, Arabs are his descendants

Now that God met the first part of His promise, what did He ask of Abraham?
Genesis 22:1-2 = Sacrifice Isaac
What is a sacrifice? = Write responses on board
Funk & Wagnalls = Giving up some cherished object or person for the sake of something else
What did God say to remind Abraham of what he would be sacrificing?
Genesis 22:2 = Your only son ... whom you love

What had God asked Abram to sacrifice when He first called him?
Genesis 12:1 = Your country, your people, your home - His past
What was God effectively asking Abraham to sacrifice now?
Hebrews 11:17-18 = His only son, child of the covenant - His future

Had God made this command to Abraham because He wanted a human sacrifice?
Deuteronomy 18:9-10a, 13 = Sacrificing one's child is detestable to God
Why did He make this unbelievable command?
Genesis 22:1 = He was testing Abraham

Why does God test His people? = Our faith is refined, purified, strengthened
1 Peter 1:6-7 = Your faith is refined & proved genuine to God's glory
How are we to respond to the difficulties of God's tests?
James 1:2-4 = Consider it pure joy, develop perseverance, become mature & complete
How does perseverance from difficulties make us more mature, not lacking anything?
Romans 5:3-5 = Rejoice in your sufferings, our hope is filled by God's love
Why should we rejoice when God tests us? = He tests us because He loves His children
Hebrews 12:5-7, 11 = Endure hardship as discipline, harvest of righteousness & peace
What is the reward for those who persevere?
James 1:12 = the crown of life that God has promised

Does God tempt His people to test them?
James 1:13 = No, God does not test with evil
Can temptations lead to growing in maturity and becoming more complete?
James 1:14-15 = No, they lead to sin which then leads to death
How do we know when we are being tested by God or tempted by Satan?
James 1:16-17 = Don't be deceived ... every good & perfect gift is from above

How long did it take Abraham to decide what to do?
Genesis 22:3a = Early the next morning - Abraham's faith included action
What did Abraham believe would happen in Isaac's sacrifice?
Genesis 22:3-5 = We will worship & we will come back (both A & Isaac)
Why did Abraham tell his servants that he would return with Isaac?
Genesis 22:6-8 = Didn't understand, but trusted God to provide the lamb
What did Abraham expect to happen?
Hebrews 11:19 = Abraham reasoned that God would raise Isaac from the dead

Did Abraham actually intend to complete the sacrifice?
Genesis 22:9-10 = Yes, he was ready with the knife when God stopped him
What did Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac prove?
Genesis 22:11-12 = Now I know that you fear God - Proved his great faith
Didn't God know Abraham's faith? Why was this ordeal necessary? = Living faith is active
James 2:21-22 = Abraham's faith was made complete by what he did
How does Abraham's response shed light on Jesus' call to us, His followers?
Matthew 10:37-38 = Love no one or no thing more than Christ

How did God provide the lamb as stated by Abraham's faith in 22:8?
Genesis 22:13-14 = Ram caught by its horns in a thicket
How did God respond to Abraham's demonstration of faithfulness?
Genesis 22:15-18 = God restated covenant; all nations will be blessed
What did God do here that He never repeated with the patriarchs?
Hebrews 6:13-14 = He made an oath, He swore in his own name
Why is it important for us that God did this? = It guarantees our hope in His promises
Hebrews 6:16-19a = We are to be encouraged by this anchor for our souls, firm & secure

Isaac	Jesus
Genesis 18:12-14 = Isaac's old age birth was a miracle	Matthew 1:20 = Jesus' virgin birth was a miracle
Genesis 17:19 = God's covenant made thru Isaac	Hebrews 8:6 = Jesus is mediator of the new covenant
Genesis 22:2 = Isaac was Abrahan's only son	John 3:16 = Jesus was God's only son
Genesis 22:2 = Isaac, whom you love	Matthew 3:17 = Jesus, whom I love
Genesis 22:2 = Sacrifice Isaac on Mt Moriah	Mark 15:22 = Jesus sacrificed on Golgotha
2 Chronicles 3:1 = Solomon built temple on Mt Moriah	Mark 15:22 = Golgotha was hill in region of Moriah
Genesis 22:3 = Isaac rode to Jerusalem on donkey	John 12:14-15 = Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey
Genesis 22:6 = Isaac carried wood for sacrifice	John 19:17 = Jesus carried wood for sacrifice
Genesis 22:9 = Isaac didn't resist, tho stronger	Luke 22:42 = Not my will, but yours be done
Genesis 22:13 = Ram was substitute for Isaac	Romans 4:25 = Jesus was substitute for all sinners
Genesis 22:8 = God will provide the lamb	John 1:29 = Jesus is the Lamb of God