Outline for The Hardest Thing Abraham Ever Did

by Jonathan Spurlock
(Holts Summit, MO)

Introduction: Abraham was enjoying the blessings of God in this stage of his life. Isaac, the promised son, was alive and living with Abraham and Sarah, and we don’t read that he had lost any of his flocks and herds. In this very blessed period, God asks Abraham to offer Isaac as a sacrifice—the hardest thing for any father, especially Abraham, to ever do.

What did he do?

The Orders vv. 1-2
-Take Isaac, whom you love
-Offer him as a burnt offering (complete destruction)
-Go to a place of My choice on Mount Moriah
Sacrifice had been part of worship since the days of Abel, but never human sacrifice. One can only imagine the anguish Abraham felt, praying for over 20 years for a son, and now, he’s asked to take that son’s very life.

The Obedience vv. 3-8
-Left the next morning
-Prompt preparations (gathered and split wood)
-Fire: how did he keep it burning?
Distance of about 42 miles, easy pace to allow for animals

The Offering vv. 9-10
-Built the altar (not told if of earth, stones, etc.)
-Arranged the wood
-Bound Isaac and placed him on the altar itself
Picture of Christ, bearing the wood for His own crucifixion, always following the Father’s will

The Outcome vv. 11-14
-Voice of God, “Let him go!”
-Provision of God, a ram caught by horns in the thicket (had they even noticed it before?)
EVERYBODY went home.

Obedience is always best, even though it costs and hurts the most.

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. http://www.lockman.org