Originally Posted by ChristianPilot
Now, obviously, God stopped Abraham when he knew he would sacrifice his only son for him. But this leaves me with a few questions...
Like most OT events, this is a typology. Meaning that it actually happened but represents a prophecy as well. God may not have really needed to do this for himself, because he knew Abrahams heart. So he did this for the benefit of Abraham and for Prophecy.
It makes a lot of sense when you consider some key points, and add some reasonable assumptions. We are allowed to read between the lines :-)
- Abraham was a "friend of God" Is 41:8
this accords Abraham a special status, nobody else was called this. Therefore we can say that Abraham trusted God, because friends trust each other.
- Abraham was told he would have countless descendent's; Gen 15:5
but he had no children, and he and Sarah were old.
So after many years and probably a lot of effort :-) not to mention a 'scandal' he eventually has his son Isaac. Now Isaac has grown up, Abraham is not going to have any more children, so he knows that God's promise of many descendents is through Isaac.
- I see no reason that Isaac was a 'boy' he may well have been an adult at this stage. We have been influenced by childrens bible stories with pictures. After all he carried the wood on his back.
- They rode to the mountain with a donkey and two servants. The servants would have walked, and you would think that Abraham would have let Isaac ride the donkey- it was the least he could do.
- Gen 22, God commands Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. So what does Abraham think here? we know he doesn't question it or refuse, so why not?
Abraham knows God's promise and he trusts God. So Abraham is obviously thinking., "ok god, I will do what i am told, but keeping your promise is your problem" Abraham may well have even understood that God would resurrect Isaac (its just a thought - its not scriptural).
- Isaac obviously complied with the sacrifice - It is unrealistic to think that a 100 yo could hold and bind a young man or a boy. Would have taken him a split second to work out that he was toast and easily could run away.
- Moriah where the sacrifice took place is
supposedly the future site of Jerusalem, perhaps even more significantly the Temple or Calgary. Sorry I do not know the scriptural reference for this.
So you can see what prophecy is being carried out here?
The son arrives on a Donkey
The son is carrying the wood on his back
The son willingly gave himself for sacrifice
God provides the sacrifice.
hope that helps.