Abraham's Sacrifice

Religious Studies: KS3, topic 1.1.6

For Jews and Christians, Abraham's sacrifice is a momentous demonstration of his commitment to God.

After years of faithful commitment to God, Abraham is given the ultimate challenge.
God asks Abraham to sacrifice his son.
This instruction challenged Abraham as a dad as well as religiously.
He had taught the world that God doesn’t demand child sacrifice and bloodshed.
Sacrifices had been common in the society that worshipped idols.
Abraham overcame his own worries. Being loyal to God, he carried out the instructions.

God sends Abraham to Mount Moriah. This would become the future location of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem.
On the journey, Isaac turns to his father Abraham and asks: “Here are the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the offering?” {Genesis 22:7}.
Abraham turns to his son and with great faith in God says “God will seek out for Himself the lamb for the offering, my son.”

Abraham ties Isaac up for the sacrifice. But, at the crucial moment, an angel calls out from heaven.
It says: “Do not stretch out your hand against the lad nor do anything to him for now I know that you are a God-fearing man, since you did not withhold your son, your only son from me.” {Genesis 22:12}.
Abraham has shown that he is willing to sacrifice his son and show his 100% commitment to God.
Abraham then notices a ram caught in the bushes nearby and sacrifices the sheep instead of Isaac.

This example inspires Jews and Christians to this day.
Bible scholars explain that based on a close reading of the story, God was never actually going to have Abraham kill his son.
After all, God had promised Abraham a family and Isaac was the child that the family would descend from.
This entire test was about commitment to God.

Test yourself on Abraham's Sacrifice