Seder 20: Genesis 22---Abraham's Biggest Test

There is a long-standing tradition that Abraham passed a series of 10 tests during his life.  There is more than one list of these tests, but all of the lists agree that the tenth and greatest test was God's directive that he offer his son Isaac as a burnt offering (Gen 22:2).  

In reference to the purpose of tests from God, the sages quoted Psalm 11:5:  "The Lord tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence."  The test can be seen as an opportunity for Abraham to demonstrate his faith and rise to a new level spiritually (James 2:14-26).

Since the account in Gen 22 is so terse, there are lots of fascinating traditions about how to fill in the blank space between the lines of the narrative.  For example, there are stories about how God came to test Abraham.  One, which takes inspiration from Job 1, has the accuser suggest to God that Abraham just follows him for the blessings he can receive.  

The location for the offering is "the land of Moriah" (v 2), traditionally the site of the future Temple Mount.  This identification is partially based on 2 Chron 3:1, which locates Solomon's Temple on Mt Moriah.  There are also hints in Gen 22 that support the tradition.  For example, verse 9 refers to "the place of which God had told him," language similar to that used in Deuteronomy for the location that God will "choose" or "place his name" (e.g., Deut 12).  Also, Gen 22:14 refers to the location as "the mount of the Lord".  

The identity of the two men that Abraham brought along on the journey has been a source of speculation.  One tradition says that they were Ishmael and Eliezer.  

Gen 22 emphasizes Abraham's willingness to obey God with his words "Here I am" (Hebrew hineni) in vv 1,11, and with the statement that Abraham "rose early in the morning" in v 3.  We see Abraham's faith in v 5 when he tells his men, "I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you."  This statement is probably the source of the interpretation recorded in Heb 11:17-19 that Abraham believed God would raise Isaac from the dead, if necessary. 

We do not know Isaac's age at the time of this incident.  Since Sarah died after this at age 127 (Gen 23:1), Isaac was no more than 37 years old.  One popular tradition suggests that Isaac was 37, and that Sarah died when she heard the news of what had almost happened to her son.  Josephus (Antiquities, Book 1) lists his age as 25.  Certainly he was old enough to carry the wood (v 6).  So Isaac was at least a young adult and knowingly made the decision to obey his father, even when he found out what the plan apparently was.  

After the test God repeats his previous promises to Abraham with special emphasis (vv 15-18).  Hebrews 6:13-20 points out God's "swearing by himself" as evidence of the certainty of God's promises.