Akedah - Binding of Isaac

​Can you imagine asking God to give you a son year after year?  That is what Abraham and Sarah did.  And it was not until Abraham was 100 and Sarah was 90 years old that their desires were fulfilled.  What a test of faith and perseverance they endured!  But God had a plan and a perfect time for the birth of Isaac.  Abraham and Sarah would know for sure that only God's power and love brought about the birth of their son Isaac.  As God was announcing His plans, He said, "But my covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you by this time next year." (Genesis 17:21)
 
Now imagine how much Abraham and Sarah loved Isaac and how they protected him from difficulties and controversies because he was their only child.  Is it possible that Abraham loved Isaac more than he loved God?  We do not know, but we do know that God tested Abraham's faith.  "Take your son, your only son—Yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah.  Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains which I will show you." (Genesis 22:2 - NLT)  Scripture tells us that Abraham got up early the next morning to prepare for the journey in immediate obedience to God.  The trip from Beersheba to Moriah was about 50-60 miles and took three days.  When they arrived, Abraham instructed his servants to remain a distance from their final destination.  He said, "I will worship and then we will come back to you." (Genesis 22:5)  Abraham placed the wood on his son while he carried the fire and knife.
 
At their destination, Abraham built an altar, tied his son, and laid him on the wood.  As Abraham lifted his knife to kill Isaac, an angel of the Lord called to him and told him to stop because He could see Abraham feared God.  God had provided the ram in the thicket.  It was caught by its horns.  The ram was sacrificed instead of Isaac, and Abraham called the place, "The Lord Will Provide," (Jehovah Jireh).  Genesis 22:14 tells us, "And to this day it is said, 'On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.'"
 
The story is of particular interest to the Jews at the beginning of the New Year (Rosh  Hashanah). Genesis 22, called the Akedah in Hebrew, or the "Binding of Isaac," is read.  They link the blowing of the ram's horn to the ram that was provided to Abraham for sacrifice in place of Isaac.  As the shofar is blown, it reminds them of Abraham's obedience.  The Jews believe that Abraham's descendants are pardoned based on his merit.
 
God's promise to Abraham that his descendants would come through Isaac may have helped Abraham go through with the binding of Isaac and raising of his knife to kill him. Hebrews 1:19 suggests this: "Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death."  In any event, the story of Isaac reminds us of God's mercy, grace, and provision for sin.  We see continuity between the Old and New Testament.  Father Abraham was willing to sacrifice Isaac in obedience to Father God, and Father God was willing to sacrifice His only son Jesus to redeem us from our sins.  The story of the sacrifice of Isaac is a prophetic picture of the death and resurrection of Jesus.
 
May I suggest that we reread the story of the Binding of Isaac in Genesis 22 during the Jewish New Year.  As we do, let us remember how the Lord taught Abraham that forgiveness of sin does not come through our sacrifice but through that of the Lord, Yeshua, Jesus.  Let us also repent for our sins, bless the Lord for His provision, and pray that the Jewish people will come to know the truth of their Messiah in this New Year.