We can learn many wonderful lessons from the life of Abraham. Read or listen to this chapter from my book, A Father Offers His Son, for lessons learned from Abraham.



Table of ContentsLesson One: Abraham was Ready to Obey GodLesson Two: Abraham Obeyed God When It Did Not Make SenseLesson Three: Abraham Did Not Delay ObeyingLesson Four: Abraham Would Not Let Anyone Interfere with Him ObeyingLesson Five: Abraham Understood Obedience Is WorshipLesson Six: Abraham Trusted GodGod’s Sovereignty Should Give Us Confidence





While we want to see Jesus throughout the account of Abraham sacrificing Isaac, we can also learn lessons from Abraham’s example. We can be encouraged by his great faith and challenged by his tremendous obedience.



Lesson One: Abraham was Ready to Obey God



Genesis 22:1—Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!”And he said, “Here I am.”



If we asked why God would want Abraham to sacrifice his son, the other comparable question we would ask is: why was Abraham willing to sacrifice his son? The simple answer is he heard from God. Abraham’s willingness to present Isaac as a burnt offering required he be fully convinced God had spoken to him. Otherwise, Abraham was insane at best, and evil at worst.



When God first spoke to Abraham, he responded with three words, which mean much more than, “I am here.” They mean, “I am ready to serve You and do Your will!” Other godly men said these same words when they were willing to obey God. In each instance, God revealed His desire only after the person responded this way. For example:



Jacob said these words in Genesis 46:2, and then God told him to head to Egypt.Moses said these words in Exodus 3:4, and then God sent him to deliver the Israelites.Samuel said these words in 1 Samuel 3:4, 5, 6, and 8, and then God revealed he would remove Eli’s house.Isaiah said these words in Isaiah 6:8, and then God sent him as a prophet.



Abraham heard from God and responded appropriately. We should have the same responsive hearts toward God. Often, that is when God reveals His will for us. The Word of God is what we “hear.” When we become convinced that God is speaking to us through Scripture, we are to respond as quickly and obediently as Abraham did.



Lesson Two: Abraham Obeyed God When It Did Not Make Sense



Genesis 22:2—Then He said, “Take now 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.”



There are two reasons this was a difficult test for Abraham. First, and most obviously, it meant sacrificing his “only son whom he loved.” Second, it seemed irrational. When God repeated His covenant to Abraham, He said, “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them… So shall your descendants be” (Genesis 15:5; see also Genesis 12:2 and 17:6). Later, in Genesis 21:12, God said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,” letting him know the descendants would come from Isaac, as opposed to Ishmael.



When God commanded Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, Isaac had no children. The dilemma for Abraham was, “God promised me lots of descendants, and they are supposed to come through Isaac, but I have to sacrifice him before he has had any children?” Despite any confusion Abraham experienced, he obeyed.



God’s Word might not always make sense, but we must still obey. In Isaiah 55:8–9, God says:



“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,Nor are your ways My ways…For as the heavens are higher than the earth,So are My ways higher than your ways,And My thoughts than your thoughts.”



We will not always understand why God does what He does, and we will not always understand why God wants us to do what He wants us to do. Even at those times, we must trust Him and obey.



Lesson Three: Abraham Did Not Delay Obeying



Genesis 22:3—So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey,