Genesis 22: Seeing Christ in Abraham, Isaac, and the Ram

Dear OBC Family,

If you want to play a fun game — is game the right word? — with your children or friends, take time to read Genesis 22:1–19 verse by verse. In each verse, ask yourself a question: What does this passage say about Christ in type or shadow?

In the Bible, types are historical persons, places, events, or institutions that point forward to Jesus Christ as the goal of God’s plan of salvation. For instance, Adam is called a type of Christ in Romans 5:14. And the connection is due to the fact that Adam and Christ (the Last Adam) both served as the head of humanity. Tragically, the first Adam led humanity to sin and death by his sin at the first tree. But gloriously, the last Adam led a new humanity to a new righteousness and life by his obedience at another tree.

For those who have read the Bible for a long time, you can probably think of other connections like this one. And for those who are just starting out, you should know that everything written in the Old Testament was given to prepare the way for Christ (see Jesus's words in Luke 24:27 and John 5:39). Jesus taught his apostles (and all Christians, by extension) to read the Old Testament with one eye on the original context and another on the horizon.

The point of the Old Testament is Jesus. And few chapters in Scripture are more multi-layered than Genesis 22 for seeing types, shadows, allusions, and actions that point forward to Christ. Therefore, as you read the passage, take time to lead your friends or children to see all that is there. (Hint: By my count, I can see at least seven connections between Genesis 22 and Jesus)

On Sunday, we will dig into all of these connections as we celebrate the birth of Christ and the way Genesis 22 prepared the way for God’s beloved son (that’s one type). Indeed, as Matthew 1 tells us, Jesus was born to save his people from their sins. And thus, when we celebrate Christmas, we cannot be blind to the way Christ’s miraculous birth relates to his messianic obedience on the tree.

For those who gather to worship this Sunday, that is what we will be considering. So, to prepare for Sunday read Genesis 22 and pray for our time, as we ascend the hill of the Lord. If you want to read a few other passages, you will find help in Matthew 1 and Hebrews 11, as both trace the story of Abraham to Jesus Christ.

As the Lord allows, I will look forward to seeing you on Sunday.

For His Glory and your joy,
Pastor David


Discussion & Response Questions for Genesis 22:1-19

1. How does Genesis 22 relate to the rest of the Abraham story (Genesis 11-24)?
2. What is the test? Why does God test Abraham?
3. What do we learn about Abraham, Isaac, and the Lord in this test?
4. How does Hebrews 11:8–22 inform the way we read this test?
5. What do we learn about Christ in this drama? And what are the types that are embedded in this story?
6. How does the story of Isaac’s sacrifice and the Lord’s provision relate to the birth of Christ?
7. Why was Christ born? What happens if we celebrate Christmas without thinking about the cross?
8. In what ways do we need to apply this passage to our own lives? Our own tests?
9. What else do we learn about the Lord and his purposes in the world?