Laurent de la Hyre - Abraham Sacrificing Isaac c1650

This study of Abraham provides both a biographical and geographical view of Abraham's journey through the Bible lands.

Abraham is one of the most fascinating characters in the Bible. God took an ordinary man who had no hope of having a family and made him father of multitudes. God took the impossible things in Abraham's life and worked through them, perfecting in Abraham the great character we know him as.

Abraham is important to Jews, Christians and Muslims by establishing the Jewish race, the lineage of Jesus Christ, and several of the Mid-Eastern races. Abraham is identified as a great man of faith by obeying God (Hebrews 11:8-12).

Hebrews 11:8-12

8By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. 9By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
11By faith Abraham, even though he was past age--and Sarah herself was barren--was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. 12And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.

God began a good work in Abraham's life by asking him to trust and follow Him. Interestingly, Abraham was seventy-five years old, when he was called by God. The Lord then spent a lifetime perfecting Abraham to be His faithful servant and to be obedient to His Word.

Abraham lived with his family in Ur of the Chaldeans (modern day Iraq). His name at that time was Abram (Exalted Father). His father's name was Terah and he had two brothers, Nahor and Haron. Haron died in Ur, but before his death his son Lot was born. Abram married his half-sister Sarai (Princess). Because of her name, she was undoubtedly very beautiful and being his half sister, Terah obviously had multiple wives (Gen 11:27-30 also Gen 20:12).

Abraham's journey begins circa ~2000 BC. Ur was a great city at the time of Abraham. It had wealth, libraries, courts and culture. The archaeological site is located in southern Iraq near Nasiriyah about 160 kilometers northwest of the Kuwait border.

Abraham departs Ur with his father, Sarah and Lot to move to Canaan. However, they stop and dwell in Haran (Gen 11:31). Haran is located in Turkey about 32 kilometer Southeast of Urfa and is located near the river Balih. Haran was centrally located along a trade route and was a city known for its worship of Sin, god of the moon. Apparently his father and brother fell to the calling of this religious cult (no doubt owing to their former city Ur). It is interesting that years later Nahor's grandson Laban would be ready to kill Abraham's grandson Jacob over idols (Gen 31:29-30).

The Lord singled out Abram in Haran by promising to make him a great nation. This was a great thing except for one problem; his wife Sarah (then called Sarai) was barren. Nevertheless, Abram trusted God and was obedient to Him. At this point God commands Abram to leave his family in Haran and go to a new land that He will lead him to (Canaan). Therefore, Abram departs for Canaan leaving his father and brother in Haran behind. This account is given in Gen 12:1-5 and also amplified in Joshua 24:2, where we are told that Terah and Nahor both served other gods.

Abram was 75 years old when he departed Haran. He brought with him his entire household including his wife Sarai, his servants, and nephew Lot. After entering Canaan, he then stops in Shechem (Gen 12:6). This is where the Lord appeared to Abram and he built an altar (years later his grandson Jacob will dig a well there). Abram then moves to Bethel (Bethel on the west and Ai on the east - Gen 12:8). There, he builds an alter and called on the name of the Lord. At this point, Abram is seeking help and direction from God. The Lord had led him to the land He had called Abram to. Even though the Lord had appeared to him in Shechem (which must have been very reassuring to him), there are times when the Lord seems to depart and His promise, thus making it become seemingly empty. In this case the land of "milk and honey" that God had called Abram to, was becoming barren due to famine. He then journeys further south as the famine becomes more severe - (Gen 12:10). Finally, due to the severe famine, he journeys to Egypt.

While Abram is in Egypt, he is confronted by Pharaoh, who desired Sarai as his future wife. Abram, fearful for his life tells Pharaoh that Sarai is his sister (actually a partial truth since she is half sister). Sarai is taken to be a wife for Pharaoh; in return Abram receives great wealth including livestock and servants. This is probably when they acquired Hagar, Sarai's Egyptian maidservant (Gen 12:16). God intervenes and reveals to Pharaoh that Sarai is Abram's wife and Pharaoh rebukes Abram for being dishonest to him. Abram departs Egypt and returns to Canaan with all his wealth and family (Gen 12:17-20).

Although Abram was undeserving of the great wealth given to him by Pharaoh, the Lord had still blessed him. We find in our own lives we are undeserving of God's redemption. However, it is not about doing good deeds or just being a good person (although that is important to God). It is really about trusting and following God. This was the message God was teaching Abram. Unfortunately, Abram didn't have the trust that God required of him. God was beginning to teach him a series of lessons in life to perfect the trust in Him that he would someday need to become the historical figure we all know him as - a great man of faith.

Abram journeys from Egypt passing through the Negev (the South). Along this route, he probably stops at Beersheba - "well of seven". He finally returns to Bethel (between Bethel and Ai - the place of the altar he had previously built) (Gen 13:1-4). There, Abram called on the Name of the Lord from this place. Having returned to the place he earlier departed from, Abram rededicates his life to the Lord and calls upon God's Name to continue His good work that He had begun in him.

Abram and Lot were very wealthy and there was not enough room for the two of them together. Therefore, they split up and Lot chose the Plain of Jordan and journeyed eastward (Gen 13:10-11). Now, the Plain of Jordan was like a "garden of the Lord", as you go toward Zoar. Lot dwelt in the plain of Jordan, as far as Sodom and Abram dwelt in Canaan (The location of Sodom is unknown, but is believed to have been located in what is now the Dead Sea). It is here that God makes a promise to give Abram and his descendants the land of Canaan forever (Gen 13:14-15). God promises to make Abram's descendants a great number (as the dust of the earth (Gen 13:16). Abram is told to arise and walk through the land. He also decides to move to the terebinth trees of Mamre, which are in Hebron and built an altar to the Lord there (Gen 13:17-18).

Lot is now established in Sodom, a place known for its outlandish lifestyles and sexual perversion. Located in the Valley of Siddim, which means cultivated fields. This area may have been part of what is now the Dead Sea. This fertile plain actually consisted of five cities: Zeboiim, Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah and Zoar.

War broke out between the Kings of the valley (Sodom and Gomorrah) in the Valley of Siddim - the Salt Sea (Gen 14:1-3). They served the kings of Shinar (Babylonia and Persia) for 12 years and rebelled in the 13th year. The Kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled (some falling into tar pits in the Valley of Siddim). Lot was taken captive (Gen 14:10-12).

When Abram was told of Lot's captivity he armed 318 trained servants who were born in his own house and went in pursuit of them at Dan (Gen 14:14). Abram attacks by night splitting his forces. They pursued them as far as Hobah (north of Damascus) (Gen 14:15). Abram's forces defeat them and recover all the captive people and their goods. After Lot's rescue, Abram returns the property to its owners (including the captives). The king of Sodom comes out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (King's Valley - located near Jerusalem) upon his return. He offers to give Abram everything, but Abram insists on not accepting anything from this king (Abram is able to see through his motives). However, Abram does give a portion of the property to his servants and a tenth to Melchizedek, King of Salem and the priest of the most high God. Abram doesn't keep any of it for himself (Gen 14:18-24)

God makes a promise to Abram, revealing that he will have a son. God commands him to count the stars and God said "so shall your descendants be" (unable to be numbered) - Gen 15). Abram believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness (Gen 15:6). At this point, Abram is also told by God of the coming captivity in Egypt (Gen 15:13-16) and its duration. God then deeds the land of Canaan to Abram's descendants (Gen 15:18-21).

Genesis Chapter 16 - 17

At this point, Abram and Sarai have been in Canaan for ten years. Aware that they aren't getting any younger, they decide to "help" God along in His plan for the promised son. Sarai convinces Abram to take Hagar her Egyptian servant and have the promised child through her. After Hagar conceived Ishmael, Sarai becomes despised by Hagar and what friendship they once had is shattered. Hagar then runs away into the desert and heads toward Egypt. Along the way, God confronts her at a spring of water on the way to Shur near Kadesh-barnea and commands her to return to Abram and Sarai. She is told Ishmael would become the father of a great multitude (the Arab people) (Gen 16:9).

Finally, the Lord appears to Abram in Hebron at the age of 99 as Almighty God (Gen 17:1). He commands Abram to walk before Him and to be blameless. It is interesting to see the work that God is doing in Abram's life to make him a great man of faith in God. God promises to establish His covenant between Him and Abram and multiply him exceedingly and make him father of many nations. He is commanded to change his name to Abraham (father of multitude) and his wife to Sarah (princess). God promises to establish His covenant with Abraham and his descendants as an everlasting covenant (Gen 17:7). Also, God promises Abraham the land of Canaan for his descendants (Gen 17:8 - it is interesting to know who the real owner of Canaan (the Holy Land) is - GOD.

God then commands Abraham, all of his male family members and descendants to be circumcised as a sign of God's covenant - all males, in all generations. God instructs Abraham that he who is not circumcised is to be cut-off from God's covenant (Gen 17:14). It is here that God tells Abraham that His covenant concerning the Jews shall be with his future son Isaac (also at this point He tells him to name his son, Isaac-which means laughter) - Gen 17:19.

The next time God makes His appearance to Abraham is by the terebinth trees of Mamre, (in Hebron) during the heat of the day (Gen 18:1). This time two angels appear with God in flesh like form (in the form of men, as they are able to consume food and drink). Abraham prepares lunch for them – (Gen 18:6-8 ) and God tells Abraham that He will return after nine months and Sarah shall have a son (Gen 18:10). Sarah, who has overheard the conversation, laughs because this was certainly an impossibility (she is 90 years old at this point) and God tells her "Is anything to hard for the Lord" (Gen 18:14). It is here too that we learn of God's plan to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah "Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and because their sin is very grave" (Gen 18:16-20). Abraham pleads with God not to destroy them for the sake of the righteous. Finally, God tells Abraham that if only 10 righteous people are found in Sodom, He will spare the cities (Gen 18:23-32).

Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah

Two of the angels who had lunch with Abraham begin their journey to Sodom. They depart after lunch and arrive at Sodom that evening. When they arrive, Lot is sitting at the city gate. It is interesting that Lot immediately recognizes who they are and tries to convince them to stay the night at his house. He knows what would be in store for them if they hang out in the city at night (although Lot doesn't yet recognize the supernatural power of angelic beings over mortal men). The angels insist that they want to spend the night in the open square. But, Lot finally convinces them to stay at his house. After arriving at Lot's house, he prepares dinner for them and they eat (Gen 19:1-3). After dinner, the men of Sodom (both young and old) surround Lot's house (Gen 19:4). They demand that Lot bring the men out so they can rape them (Gen 19:5). Lot then offers his two virgin daughters (interestingly, they were married to men of Sodom, but were still virgins). After showing no interest in Lot's daughters, they threatened Lot. The angels then rescue Lot (who is caught outside the door) and struck the men who were threatening him with blindness. It is interesting that having been struck with blindness they continued to try to gain entry to Lot's house and wearied themselves, despite their blindness. These people were probably so overcome by lust that they didn't even care about their blindness (Gen 19:8-11)!

Since there is not much time left, the angels desperately try to get Lot's family together. Lot's sons-in-law (who had married his daughters) thought the whole thing was a joke and refused to leave Sodom (Gen 19:12-14). At dawn, the angels finally grab Lot, his wife and two daughters by their hands and lead them out of Sodom. The angels instruct Lot to escape to the mountains. However, Lot argues with them to allow him to escape to the city of Zoar instead. He finally convinces the angels to allow them escape to Zoar (which means small city). It was sunrise when Lot entered Zoar (Gen 19:23).

The explosion that destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah must have been massive. Fire and brimstone rained down upon Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 19:24). All the cites and every living thing on the plain were destroyed. Lot's wife, ignoring the angels' command not to look back, decides to have a look anyhow and became a pillar of salt (Gen 19:26).

The catastrophe that destroyed Sodom and Gomorrha may have created the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea is the lowest spot on the earth's surface, 1320 feet below sea level. It contains large amounts of salt deposits. Abraham observed the destruction "as the smoke from a furnace" (Gen 19:27-28) Geography of the Dead Sea

What Happened to Sodom and Gomorrah

Sodom and Gomorrah and the cites of the plain were all destroyed by a catastrophe that rained fire and brimstone them. As Abraham observed "the smoke of the land which went up like the smoke of a furnace" (Gen 19:28). Some have suggested that a great earthquake or volcanism may have been responsible. Deposits of bitumen (a petroleum based shell deposit) have been discovered in the area. This could have ignited and would certainly create a fire and brimstone type catastrophe described in the Bible.

Lot's wife either lagged behind (not wanting to leave Sodom) or possibly decided to observe the destruction of the cities. Unfortunately, she didn't do as she was instructed and became a pillar of salt.

Lot's Losses

Lot lost his wife and all his possessions. He moved from Zoar to the mountains (that he originally didn't want to flee to) and dwelt in a cave with his two daughters (Gen 19:30). They later deceived Lot and became pregnant by him. Two sons were born (one by each daughter) who would someday be at war with Israel. Moab (father of the Moabites (Gen 19:37) and also, ancestor of Ruth in David's line and Jesus. The other was Ben-Ammi (father of the Ammonites). After these events Lot seems to disappear from history. It is possible he may have returned to Abraham for assistance (but no evidence of this is found in Scripture). Lot most likely moved east to the hills of Moab. 2 Peter 2:7 identifies Lot as a righteous man who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked.

The economy and geology of the area would have been effected by the great destruction in the plain which was probably on its way to becoming the Dead Sea. Therefore, Abraham journeys South between Kadesh and Shur and stayed in Gerar (Gen 20:1). He is confronted by Abimelech, king of Gerar, who wants to take Sarah as his wife (Gen 20:2). This is truly an interesting situation because by this time, Sarah is 90 years old and pregnant with Isaac! Just as in Egypt, Abraham tells Abimelech that Sarah is his sister. God once again intervenes and warns Abimelech. As commanded by God, he restores Sarah back to Abraham, in which case he is publically rebuked for his deception. Abimelech also gives Abraham even more wealth and we discover here that Sarah really is Abraham's half sister (Gen 20:12).

Although Abraham intentionally deceived Abimelech, we find in Gen 20:18 that Abimelech was unable to have any children in his household because the Lord had closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech. Perhaps Abimelech was attracted to Sarah because she was pregnant in her old age. He might have been so stunned by this that he could have interpreted it as a Divine intervention as we see he was a man who acknowledged God.

Sarah had become pregnant at the age of 90 (Abraham would have been between 99 and 100 when Isaac was born). Isaac was born at the time God previously revealed to them, while they were living in Hebron (Gen 21:2). The name Isaac means "laughter" and you can certainly see the joy they must have felt after Isaac's birth. When Isaac was born, they had been in Canaan for 25 years and continued to dwell in Gerar.

Hagar and Ishmael Depart

After Isaac had been weaned, Abraham made a great feast (Ishmael is about 16 years old). During the feast, Sarah observed Ishmael scoffing Isaac. She perceived that Ishmael would someday become a threat to Isaac and demanded that Abraham send Hagar and Ishmael away. Abraham sought the Lord in this situation and God concurred with his wife that Hagar and Ishmael should leave (Gen 21:12). Abraham provided them with provisions and sent them away.

After Hagar and Ishmael departed, they wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba. They ran out of water in this wilderness and God provided for them (Gen 21:17-19). God spared them according to His promise that He had previously made to Hagar. Hagar took a wife for Ishmael from Egypt (Gen 21: 21) and they dwelt in the Wilderness of Paran. From Ishmael came a great nation, according to God's promise.

Abraham's Treaty With Abimelech

Abimelech came to Abraham to establish a peace treaty with him. After clearing up a matter of disagreement over a well which Abraham had dug, they made the treaty. Abraham called the place where they ratified the treaty, Beersheba. Abraham planted a tamarisk tree and called on the Name of the Lord.

Sacrifice of Isaac

Now we come to one of the greatest events in the Bible. God commanded Abraham to take Isaac, his only son, and travel to the land of Moriah to offer him as a burnt offering. God instructs Abraham to travel to one of the mountains that He shall reveal later in the journey (Gen 22:1-2).

Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey and took two of his young men with him along with Isaac. On the third day, Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place afar off. Abraham told his young men: "Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you" (Gen 22:5). Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac. He took the fire and the knife in his hand and the two of them started out on their journey afoot (to climb Moriah). Isaac asked Abraham why he didn't have the sacrificial lamb. Interestingly, Abraham replied that God "will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering" (Gen 22:8).

Then they came to the place that God had told him and he built an altar. He placed wood on the alter and bound Isaac (who is probably in his early thirties at this point) and laid him on the alter, upon the wood. Abraham took the knife to slay his son, and an Angel of the Lord called out from heaven and told him not to slay Isaac (Gen 22:11). God provided a ram caught in the thicket by its horns for the sacrifice instead of Isaac.

Abraham called the name of the place "The Lord Will Provide" as it is said to this day "In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided" (Gen 22:14).

God rewarded Abraham for his great obedience to Him. He promised Abraham that He will greatly multiply his descendants and through him all the nations of the earth shall be blessed (Gen 22:18).

God demonstrated through Abraham and Isaac, the sacrifice that God Himself would one day make to cover our sins. In their obedience to God, Abraham and Isaac were unknowingly acting out a future event that would someday happen about 2,000 years later. God offered Himself, His only begotten Son, as a sacrifice on Moriah. A place in the Mount of the Lord that "The Lord Will Provide" and where "it shall be provided".

Through the sacrificial offering of Isaac, a model was acted out for the sacrificial offering of Jesus for sins. Many believe that the place of Christ's crucifixion and the place where Abraham offered his son Isaac, are the same location on a hill in Moriah.

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