The Jesse Tree: Day 5
THE OFFERING OF ISAAC
God had given Abraham and Sarah a gift, their son Isaac. From the moment he cried his first newborn wail to the first time he tottered across the tent, Isaac was their joy, their delight, the treasure of their hearts. They loved him more than anything, more than life itself.
And then one day, God spoke to Abraham with a command that shook him to his core:
And then one day, God spoke to Abraham with a command that shook him to his core:
Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you. –Genesis 22:2
Pause for a moment. Read that again. Sacrifice his son? The very child he had waited for, hoped for, held close? How could God ask such a thing?
And yet, he rose early the next morning. He saddled his donkey, gathered the wood, and set out for the land of Moriah, taking Isaac with him.
Finally, as they climbed the mountain together, Isaac looked up at his father.
And yet, he rose early the next morning. He saddled his donkey, gathered the wood, and set out for the land of Moriah, taking Isaac with him.
Finally, as they climbed the mountain together, Isaac looked up at his father.
“Father, we have the fire and wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” And Abraham answered: “God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” –Genesis 22:8
Can you imagine the faith that was required? Abraham didn’t know exactly how God would provide. God provided a son and a promise of posterity; surely God could bring life from death if He willed it.
When they reached the summit, Abraham built the altar, arranged the wood, bound Isaac, and placed him upon it. He lifted the knife and in that heart-stopping moment, a voice rang out from heaven:
When they reached the summit, Abraham built the altar, arranged the wood, bound Isaac, and placed him upon it. He lifted the knife and in that heart-stopping moment, a voice rang out from heaven:
Abraham! Abraham! Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me. – Genesis 22:12
Relief. Shock. Tears, I’m sure, of both joy and overwhelming confusion. Isaac would live. No resurrection needed.
Nearby, Abraham noticed a ram caught in a thicket. God had provided. But what Abraham was spared, God didn’t hold back; as he gave his son, Jesus, offered for our sin, and then on the third day raised from the grave, victorious over death. Life would come through sacrifice.
Nearby, Abraham noticed a ram caught in a thicket. God had provided. But what Abraham was spared, God didn’t hold back; as he gave his son, Jesus, offered for our sin, and then on the third day raised from the grave, victorious over death. Life would come through sacrifice.
Pause to reflect
What words or phrases strike you most in God’s command to Abraham? Why might the text repeat “your son, your only son, whom you love”? How does this emphasis shape the weight of what is being asked?
Abraham believed God could bring life out of death if necessary (Heb. 11:17–19). What impossible situation in your own life is God calling you to entrust to Him this Advent?
In the sacrifices you’ve already made, how has God been faithful? And what might He be calling you to surrender today, that He might provide, and life might grow, even where loss feels real?
If Advent is about trusting God’s provision, how does this story help you trust that God sees, knows, and provides—even when you can’t yet see how?
Abraham believed God could bring life out of death if necessary (Heb. 11:17–19). What impossible situation in your own life is God calling you to entrust to Him this Advent?
In the sacrifices you’ve already made, how has God been faithful? And what might He be calling you to surrender today, that He might provide, and life might grow, even where loss feels real?
If Advent is about trusting God’s provision, how does this story help you trust that God sees, knows, and provides—even when you can’t yet see how?
Gracious Lord, grant us faith like Abraham, a faith willing to return to You all that You have given us. Work within our hearts so that nothing we hold dear would keep us from surrendering fully to Your greater will. Lord, help us to seek and follow Your will above our own, now and always.
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