Read Genesis 22 at Bible Gateway.
The Hebrew paragraphs for this chapter:
Gen 22:1-19 {p} Abraham and the binding of Isaac
Gen 22:20-24 {p} The seed of Nahor
Now why would God request a human sacrifice of Abraham? (This is one of the passages of the Bible to which people point when they accuse God of being vengeful, wrathful, angry, and judgmental.) There are two answers to this question.
First, the entire episode of the binding of Isaac is exactly prophetic of the sacrifice of Messiah Yeshua, the Promised Son realized. This History Prophesies of the Father offering His only Son, Himself providing the Lamb for the sacrifice. God, using the Law’s unique way of proclaiming the coming and ministry of Messiah, has told the end—the Gospel—from the beginning.
Remember the former things of old,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like Me,
Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things that are not yet done,
Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,
And I will do all My pleasure …’ Isa 46:9-10But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 1 Cor 2:1-8
The second answer is revealed in the Genesis 18:1-22:24 Chiastic Structure:
All the matching elements pair at first glance, but the B pair. But notice that 1B reveals the judgment for sin, and 2B reveals the sacrifice for sin, in Isaac the Prophetic Type of Messiah.
Why This Matters: The Bible is proclaiming the Gospel of grace from its first book, from its earliest history. The Law confirms the Gospel. The Greek Testament (New Testament) isn’t in fact new, but it is true, from the foundation of the world.
If there are questions, these are good resources:
Finding Messiah in Genesis 18:1-22:24 – Christine Miller
Gen 18:1-22:24 Chiastic structure, and why the B pair matches – Christine Miller
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