A Prophetic Act

By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. Hebrews 11:17-19 (KJV)

Abraham’s faith was tried, tested, and proved. Would he love the Promisekeeper, God, more than the fulfilled promise, Isaac? Abraham was obedient to offer up Isaac to God. Abraham had received the promise that he and Sarah would have a child. Yet, he offered up to God their only son. God had said that in Isaac would his seed (Jesus) be called. Abraham considered that God was able to raise Isaac up, even from the dead. He received him back from the dead in a figure, or figuratively. God counted Abraham’s act of faith as if he really had done it. Why? Because faith pleases God (Hebrews 11:6). In Genesis 22:5, Abraham had said to their traveling party that they, he and Isaac, would come again, showing his faith that Isaac would be raised.

This was a prophetic act, because even if Isaac had been offered up, Abraham saw God raise him from the dead before he ever offered Isaac. It was also a prophetic picture in that Jesus prophesied His own resurrection from the dead. Isaac was a type of Christ, foreshadowing the death and resurrection of Jesus. Abraham and Jesus both received a prophetic promise from God. Isaac was a prophetic promise and a prophetic picture of Christ. Jesus Christ was “the seed” that was called to come through Isaac.

Abraham offered Isaac up in faith, and Jesus offered Himself up in faith. Just as Abraham received his promise, Isaac was a guarantee that Christ the Seed would come and offer Himself as a sacrifice to save us. God gave Abraham a substitute, a ram caught in the thicket, to offer in place of Isaac. Jesus Himself is our Substitute, taking our place on the cross.

And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah Jireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen. Genesis 22:13-14 (KJV)

Abraham called the place Jehovah-Jireh, meaning it shall be seen, or the Lord will see and provide. God saw Abraham’s faith and obedience, a prophetic act to move God to fulfill His promise to provide us with a true sacrifice in Jesus (John 1:29). We must act on God’s Word, believing and obeying God and His Word. We must act on who Christ is and all He’s provided for us, and, like Abraham, we shall see the provision of the Lord.