The story of Abraham being commanded to sacrifice his son, Isaac, is a very puzzling story. What are we to make of it? We must first understand the context of Abraham life and God's dealing with him. There are four important insights that will help us better understand this story.

1. Are God's Commands Capricious?
Why Would God Tell Abraham to Sacrifice His Son?

2. Genesis 15:6 Abram believed the LORD, and he credited
it to him as righteousness.
The Story of Abraham

3. Genesis 26:5 …because Abraham obeyed me and kept my
requirements, my commands, my decrees and my laws.
The Story of Abraham

4. Numbers 20:12 But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron,
"Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as
holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this
community into the land I give them."
The Story of Abraham

5. Deuteronomy 32:51 This is because both of you broke
faith with me in the presence of the Israelites at the waters
of Meribah Kadesh in the Desert of Zin and because you
did not uphold my holiness among the Israelites.
The Story of Abraham

6. Exodus 20:20 Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid.
God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be
with you to keep you from sinning."
The Story of Abraham

7. Genesis 12:1 The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your
country, your people and your father's household and go
to the land I will show you."
Abraham's Call

8. Genesis 22:2 Then God said, "Take your son, your only
son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of
Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of
the mountains I will tell you about."
Abraham's Call

9. Genesis 21:11 The matter distressed Abraham greatly
because it concerned his son. 12 But God said to him, "Do
not be so distressed about the boy and your maidservant.
Listen to whatever Sarah tells you, because it is through
Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.
Hagar and Ishmael

10. 13 I will make the son of the maidservant into a nation
also, because he is your offspring."
Hagar and Ishmael

11. Genesis 22:1 Some time later God tested Abraham. He
said to him, "Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied.
Genesis 22

12. 2 Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac,
whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice
him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I
will tell you about."
Genesis 22

13. Hebrews 11:17 By faith Abraham, when God tested him,
offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the
promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son,
18 even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac
that your offspring will be reckoned."
Genesis 22

14. 19 Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and
figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from
death.
Genesis 22

15. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one
and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not
perish but have eternal life.
New Testament perspective foreshadowing

16. John 10:15 …just as the Father knows me and I know the
Father - and I lay down my life for the sheep.
New Testament perspective foreshadowing

17. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my
life - only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me,
but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay
it down and authority to take it up again. This command I
received from my Father."
New Testament perspective foreshadowing

18. John 3:17 For God did not send his Son into the world to
condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
New Testament perspective foreshadowing

19. Romans 8:32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave
him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him,
graciously give us all things?
New Testament perspective foreshadowing