Genesis 22 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

Genesis 22

WHEN:

• Abram was born in approximately 1996 B.C. and died in 1821 B.C. at 175 years old (Gen 25:7).

• The events of Genesis 22 occurred a few years after the birth of Isaac. Isaac was born when Abraham was 100 years old (1896 B.C.), and although he was old enough to speak in this story, Abraham still referred to him as a boy (22:5).

CHARACTERS:

• Abraham – A man from Ur of the Chaldeans who moved to Canaan at God’s instruction. God promised to make his descendants a great nation and to give them the land of Canaan.

  Isaac – Abraham’s son with Sarah.   

  Nahor – Abraham’s brother.

  Milcah – Nahor’s wife.

  Rebekah – The granddaughter of Nahor. We will read more about her in Genesis 24.

WHERE:

• At the beginning of chapter 22, Abraham and Isaac traveled to the land of Moriah. After returning from Moriah, Abraham lived in Beersheba.

OUTLINE:

• GOD TELLS ABRAHAM TO SACRIFICE ISAAC (22:1-19):

  • God tested Abraham’s faith by commanding him to go to the land of Moriah, kill Isaac, and offer him as a sacrifice.

  • The next day, Abraham got up early and began the journey to Moriah with two servants and his son.

  • After a three-day journey, they arrived at the designated mountain.

  • Leaving the two servants, Abraham and Isaac ascended the mountain carrying wood and fire.

  • Isaac asked his father why they hadn’t brought an animal for the sacrifice and Abraham replied, “God will provide...”

  • When they got to the place the Lord had specified, Abraham built an altar, placed wood on it, and then bound Isaac and laid him on top of the wood.

  • Abraham took the knife in his hand to kill his son, but the angel of the Lord stopped him.

  • The angel of the Lord said, “Do not lay your hand on the body or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld you son, your only son, from me.

  • Looking up, Abraham saw a ram caught in a thicket by its horns.

  • He took the ram and offered it to God on the altar.

  • Because of Abraham’s obedience and faith, the angel of the Lord told him his offspring would be multiplied, they would have victory over their enemies, and all the nations of the earth would be blessed through them.

  • After this, Abraham returned home and lived in Beersheba.

• THE CHILDREN OF NAHOR (22:20-24):

  • The end of the chapter lists the family of Nahor, Abraham’s brother (11:26; 29).

  • Eight of Nahor’s children with Milcah are mentioned.

  • Four of Nahor’s children with Reumah (his concubine) are mentioned.

  • Rebekah the granddaughter of Nahor is also mentioned. She is given special attention because in a later chapter she marries Isaac.

APPLICATION:

• God often requires big sacrifices from those who want to follow him.

• When Jesus was on the earth, He required total commitment from those who wanted to become His disciples.

• If we want to be like Abraham and the 1st Century disciples, we need a level of commitment comparable to theirs.

• God isn’t looking for hobbyist disciples, He is looking for people who are prepared to sacrifice everything to follow Him.