Genesis 22

The Explanation

Abraham had a boy. His name was Isaac. Abraham loved him so much.

One day, God called. "Abraham!" And Abraham said, "Here I am."

God said something hard. Very hard. "Take Isaac. Go to the mountain."

Abraham got up early. Still dark outside. He took wood. He took fire. He took a knife. Isaac walked next to him.

They walked. And walked. One day. Two days. Three days.

On the third day, Abraham saw the mountain. Far away.

Isaac looked at the wood on his back. He looked around. No lamb anywhere.

"My father?" Isaac asked.

"Here I am, my son," said Abraham.

"Where is the lamb?" asked Isaac.

Abraham held his hand. "God will give the lamb, my son."

They walked on. Together.

What Does This Mean?

At the mountain, Abraham built an altar. Stone upon stone. He put the wood on it. Then, so carefully, he laid Isaac down too.

Abraham lifted his hand. He held the knife.

Then, from the sky, a voice called. Loud. "Abraham! Abraham!"

"Here I am!"

"Stop! Do not hurt the boy. Now I know you love God. More than anything."

Abraham looked up. There, stuck in the bushes, stood a ram. A real, woolly ram.

Not Isaac. The ram would be the offering.

Abraham was so relieved. He named that place: "Yahweh Will Provide."

The Common Thread

God did not want Isaac to die. God gave a ram instead, just in time.

Many years later, God gave His own Son, Jesus, to die for us. Nobody stopped that. Jesus did it on purpose, because He loves us so much.

God said to Abraham, "All the nations of the earth will be blessed by your offspring." That promise was about Jesus too. Jesus is the offering that saves everyone who trusts Him.

Abraham trusted God on that mountain. He did not know how it would end. But God provided. He always does.

For You

Have you ever been scared, but someone held your hand anyway? Abraham held Isaac's hand. God held Abraham's heart.

You can trust God too, even when things feel scary or you do not understand. He sees. He provides. He never forgets His promises.

Talk About It

Why do you think Abraham trusted God, even when it was so hard?

What did God give instead of Isaac? How do you think Abraham felt when he saw it?

Praying Together

Dear God,

Thank You that You always take care of us. Thank You for Jesus, who You gave for us. Help me trust You, even when I am scared. You always provide.

Amen.