After these things **God tested Abraham** and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “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.” (Gen 22:1-2 ESV)
This is the first instance of YHVH *testing* man. We learn elsewhere that YHVH tests man to see *what is in his heart* and to see if *he will obey Him*. (Exo 15:23-26, Exo 16:2-5, Exo 20:18-20, Deu 8:1-3, 11-16)
So given what takes place in the following verses of Genesis 22, Abraham appears to pass the test by offering his unique son, whom he loved, as a burnt offering, which is exactly what YHVH told him to do. And Isaac passes the test as well, as he willingly laid his life down. Except, YHVH had mercy on them and spared Isaac by providing a lamb/ram in his stead.
I believe God was testing a man (and his son) to see if he **would obey Him** *even unto death*.
In Leviticus we learn of the various offerings to be made on YHVH’s altar, which are acceptable in His sight, and no where does He instruct the slaying of humans on that altar. Instead, the slaying of blameless lambs (among other clean animals) are prescribed.
However, throughout the Prophets we see a plethora of examples of the righteous being slain at the hand of the wicked, brothers killing brothers…with the very first example in Genesis 4:8 with Cain slaying Abel.
As of this moment, my understanding of what took place in the gospel accounts surrounding Yeshua’s death is that Yeshua, a unique son, whom YHVH loved, was asked by his heavenly Father to obey Him even unto the point of death. And Yeshua willingly did so.
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42 NIV)
It seems to me that Isaac willingly laying his life down in service to his God demonstrates this is an example of what a “whole burnt offering” represents. This is a picture of what Yeshua did in the laying down of his life.
Also, Abraham willingly laying down his most precious gift in loving obedience and service to his God is an example of what it means to offer/present a whole burnt offering.
But it needs to be made clear that Yeshua was not offered up *by men* as a *burnt offering* to be a pleasing aroma to YHVH (nor was he offered up as a “sin offering”), but rather he, being a righteous man, was slain at the hand of his brothers.
YHVH gave His unique and precious son not for the purpose to be killed but rather to save/deliver/rescue His people from their sins (Mt 1:21) as He has provided a deliverer in times past (as seen over and over again in Judges) to rescue their fathers from their sins.
However, YHVH gave His unique and precious son **knowing ahead of time** that he would be slain by his own brothers (as seen in the account of Joseph in Genesis), but He had a greater plan that did not end in a waterless pit (Genesis 50:15-21).
I am grieved because I see so many being turned away from Yeshua as being the Messiah due to lack of understanding. We have inherited *so many lies* (which is most often the *teachings/traditions of men*), and its imperative that we seek out the truth *from Scripture*, and strip away each falsehood as they become apparent. Please don’t abandon the written testimonies of the New Testament…seek understanding of them. Meditate on the Law and the Prophets regularly, wash yourself in the Word of YHVH and pray for discernment.
I believe we hold truth in our hands (albeit, not only has it been handled by errant men, but it also contains words that can be easily misunderstood). We just need eyes to see and ears to hear what that truth is. 😉
DISCLAIMER: I am still studying these matters out for myself. I do not have answers for every question, and as more is revealed to me and my understanding is refined, some of what I post today as my current understanding (or have posted in the past) may be altered in the future.
I’m not seeking to teach or lead people, but rather simply trying to give testimony to what I have learned thus far and encourage others to keep seeking the truth from our heavenly Father. Shalom to you as you continue to seek out His ways and walk in them.
