Abraham and Isaac on Mount Moriah

God instructed Abraham to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac on a mountain in the land of Moriah (Gen 22:2). Abraham did not hesitate to carry out this difficult task (v. 3). When, after a three-day journey, he saw the mountain that God had planned, he left two servants and a donkey behind and walked the last stretch alone with his son (v. 4.5). Isaac carried the wood, while Abraham took the fire and the knife in his hand (v. 6).

Isaac’s Question

Isaac broke the serious silence during the journey to Moriah and asked his father: “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the sheep [or lamb] for the burnt offering?” (V. 7). Abraham gave the wise and faithful answer: “God will provide the sheep [or lamb] for the burnt offering, my son” (v. 8). And his faith was not disappointed: God showed Abraham a sacrificial animal after the patriarch had built the altar on the mountain and bound his son to it. Abraham slaughtered the animal designated by God instead of his son and named the mountain: “The LORD will see” (Hebrew: “Yahweh-Jireh”).

The Unanswered Question Through the Centuries

Isaac’s question about the burnt offering ultimately moved all his descendants through the centuries. For although the Israelites brought many sacrifices, the question remained: Where is the sacrifice that can satisfy God, that He really demands? The answer of faith could only be God will choose the true lamb for a burnt offering.

The Lamb Revealed in Christ

The New Testament tells us that God had already recognized this lamb before the foundation of the world and that it was revealed at the end of time in the person of Christ (1 Peter 1:19, 20). When John the Baptist saw Jesus coming towards him one day, he expressed this wonderful fact with the words: “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). And the next day he cried out in adoration: “Behold, the Lamb of God!” (Jn 1:36). Isaac’s old question about the sacrifice and Abraham’s words of faith found their perfect and final answer in the Lord Jesus: He was the Lamb whom God had chosen.

Golgotha, the True Yahweh-Jireh

On the hill of Golgotha – the true Yahweh-Jireh – this spotless and flawless Lamb died for our guilt. Through the precious blood of Christ we have been redeemed and brought to God. That is why we give God and the Lamb the glory today!

Praise to the Lamb

“You are worthy … for you were slain and have been purchased for God by your blood, from every tribe and language and people and nation … Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing. … To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb the blessing and the honor and the glory and the power for ever and ever!” (Rev 5,9.12.13).