Lent · The Fifth Sunday in Lent (Judica)
Genesis 22:1-14
Abraham Tested
March 22, 2026
Overview & Insights
“God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” (Genesis 22:8)
In an episode repulsive to a contemporary audience, God commands Abraham to offer up his son Isaac as a whole burnt offering. How could the God who created life and blessed humans with fertility require his faithful servant to offer up his only, beloved, son as a sacrifice? How could God ask Abraham to give up the son of promise for whom he had waited so long? On the other hand, how could Abraham obey God’s command without energetically entreating for Isaac’s life as he had done for Sodom and Gomorrah (18:23–32)? These are hard questions, and the text only hints at answers. The text’s reticence at becoming engaged with these kinds of questions belongs to the artistic design of the narrative, which is to keep in focus the central issue of Abraham’s wholehearted obedience to God in regard to his firstborn.
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Commentary
Enduring Word Commentary, Genesis 22 Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik works through the binding of Isaac, Abraham's obedience, and the ram provided.
Genesis 22:1 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic commentators on the testing of Abraham and the mountain of the Lord.
Genesis 22 Commentary | Precept Austin Precept Austin
Word studies and cross references on the Aqedah as a foreshadowing of substitution.
Genesis 22:1-14 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
Reformed preaching commentary on the terror and grace of the near sacrifice of Isaac.
Commentary on Genesis 22:1-14 (Working Preacher) Working Preacher
Luther Seminary commentary on the test of Abraham and its resonance with the beloved Son.
Background & Word Study
Genesis | Enter the Bible Enter the Bible
Background on the Abraham narrative and the promise this test puts at risk.
Genesis 22 with Commentaries (Sefaria) Sefaria
Hebrew and English with Rashi and Jewish commentary on the Akedah, the binding of Isaac.
Genesis 22:1 Interlinear BibleHub
Hebrew text with parsing for the testing of Abraham and his Here I am.
Overview: Genesis 12-50 BibleProject
Animated overview of the patriarchal narratives and God's covenant with Abraham.
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
Why is the binding of Isaac a Lenten and Vigil reading?
Abraham is ready to offer his only son, and God provides a ram in his place, a story the church reads as a shadow of the Father who did not spare his own Son.
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