(A thought from Genesis 18–23.)
When the Lord commanded Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac, it was “a similitude of God and his Only Begotten Son” (Jacob 4:5)—that is, a symbol of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, which would happen many years later.
The connection between Abraham (almost) sacrificing Isaac and Heavenly Father giving His Only Begotten Son is obvious. What other connections are there?
- The Lord tells Abraham to take Isaac to “the land of Moriah” (Genesis 22:2). Many scholars believe that’s the same place where the temple in Jerusalem was later built, which means it’s a short walk from where the Savior would be crucified.
- When Abraham has Isaac carry the wood for the burnt offering (see Genesis 22:6), compare that to Jesus having to carry His own cross (see John 19:17).
- Isaac asks where the lamb is that they’re supposed to sacrifice, and Abraham tells him, “God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering” (Genesis 22:8). You can read that one of two ways, both of them true: “God Himself will provide a lamb” or “God will provide Himself as the lamb.” In the short term, God gives them a ram to sacrifice instead of Isaac (see Genesis 22:13). In the long term, of course, Jehovah Himself came to earth and was sacrificed on our behalf.
Can you find any other parallels between Isaac and the Atonement of Jesus Christ?
What Do I Give?
What do you sacrifice to obey God? (For example, giving time each Sunday to go to Church.) What blessings do you receive from these sacrifices?