Genesis 22

God tempteth Abraham charging him to offer up his son Isaac verse 1 Abraham obeyed and is ready for the utmost for to slay Isaac 3 but hindered by God from highly commended and rewarded with renewed promises and the oath of God 11 Abraham receives good tidings of his brother Nahors welfare and issue 20.

1. And it came to pass after these things [after that Abraham had received so many promises even of the birth of the Messiah himself wherefore none could be fulfilled if Isaac had died without issue the Lord was pleased to put Abraham to this trial as if he would have rescinded and mulled all the former promises at one blow]that God tempted Abraham [God is said to tempt his when he makes trial of their weakness or graces either to humble or exalt them by the manifestation of the same see Deuteronomy 8:2 and 13.3 Judges 2:22 2 Chronicles 32:31 Psalms 139:23,24 as for Abraham god knew him perfectly but intended to manifest his faith and the unfeignedness of his obedience in an extraordinary manner as for his own glories sake so both for Abrahams and the whole church of God their benefit and improvement see below verse 16,17] and he said unto him Abraham and he said here I am [Heb. Loe I viz. am here such a kind of answer which implieth a great deal of readiness and attentiveness in them that are called upon see below verse 7 and11 and chapter27.1 and 1Samuel 3.4 ,6 &c.]

2. And he said take now thy son thy only snotty beloved Isaac[each word had been enough to pierce the fathers heart this and that which is rehearsed below verse 6.9,10 can in some sort represent unto us the great mystery of Gods grace a and salvation he having not spread his only begotten an dwell beloved son but delivered him up for all to bear our sins upon the true Romans 8:32 1Peter 2.4] and go thy way towards the land of Morija [thus called after the common opinion from issue of this temptation see below verse 14 and the annotations this is the land wherein Jerusalem lay and the temple was built upon the hill of Morija 1 Chronicles 22:1 2 Chronicles 3:1 sidewards of mount Zion about three days journey fro Beersheba see below verse 4] and offer him there [that is slay him first with thine own hand s and afterwards burn his head and body to ashes as the manner was to proceed with burning offerings Leviticus 6:9,10&c. this commandment was not to be construed or examined with natural sense and understanding but only through faith with gods promise and Abraham’s fatherly duty and affection to his only begotten son but of Gods hidden purpose and counsel in this command see the first verse of this chapter and below verse 12] for a burn sacrifice [see the annotate above chapter 8 on verse 20] upon one of the hills which I shall tell thee.

3. Then Abraham rose up early in the morning [Abraham is instantly ready overcoming flesh and blood and firmly believing that notwithstanding all this God would perform his promises as being able to restore him Isaac even from the dead which also after a manner awes done as the apostle testifies Hebrews 11:19] and saddled his ass and took two of his youths with him and Isaac his son and the cleft would be burnt offering [Heb. Woods of the burnt offering] or up made himself ready & went towards the place which God told him.

4. On the third day [this great distance from the place of about three days journey served to further manifestation of Abraham singular steadfastness] then Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place afar off.

5. And Abraham said to his youths stay ye here with the ass and I and the youth [this word is not only attributed to the little children but to young men likewise full grown as above you Abrahams armed trained men chapter 14 verse 14 and to the young men of sachem that abused Dina below chapter 34.19 and to Joseph when he called to interpret Pharaoh’s dream below chapter 41.12 to Joshua serving Mosheh Exodus 33:11 to Absolom making war against his father 2 Samuel 18:9 adhere both to Isaac and Abrahams servant compare the next verse] shall go on yonder when we shall have worshipped [see below chapter 24.26] when we shall return unto ye [though Abraham intended to offer up his son the special issue of this work was unknown to him he nevertheless believed that God was able to restore him his son again and thus without knowing what should be done he foretold what came to pass.]

6. And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it upon his son Isaac [although it be uncertain how old Isaac was by this time so guessing twenty five years some less some more yet hence may well be gathered that he was of a ripe age seeing he was able to bear all the wood the ass was charged with and to carry it up the hill see above on verse 5] and he took the fire and the knife in his hand and both they went together.

7. Then spake Isaac to Abraham his father saying my father [this sweet appellation of Isaac might well have been able according to the flesh to have hindered Abraham but through the spirit of LORD it riseth up in him so much that the more confidence of a good issue as appeareth by his answer] and he said see here I am my son and he said Lo the fire and the wood but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?

8. And Abraham said God shall provide [Heb. See compare below verse 14] himself a lamb for burnt offering my son so they both went together.

9. And they came to the place which God had told him and Abraham built there an altar and disposed the wood and bound his son Isaac [even as the beast of the burnt offering were bound by their four legs so Abraham bound his four legs Isaacs hands and feet as some conceive the Hebrew word being used about sacrifices often signifying the same observe here the singular patience and obedience of Isaac being doubtless first exhorted and persuaded to it by his father] and laid him upon the altar atop the wood.

10. Then Abraham stretched forth his hand and took the knife for to slay his son [others to cut the throat of &c.]

11. But the angels of the Lord [understand the son of God as appears by the latter end of verse 12 and the whole series and drift of this story compare chapter 18 verse 1, 17, 22 and chapter 19 verse 18, 19, 21, 24] called unto him from heaven and said Abraham, Abraham [the is doubled thus the matter requiring haste and prompt attention Abraham even being ready to give the stroke and to dispatch the execution] and he said see here I am.

12. Then said he do not stretch forth thy hand on the youth and do nothing to him [by this command God reveals the secrets counsel and purpose in this temptation which in the former command verse 2 he had not done] for now I know [said after the manner of men as verse 1 for Abraham was sufficiently known to God before but now he is said to take knowledge of it in regard that this temptation he made the same fully known to his whole church thus the Hebrew word is taken Psalms 139:23 prove me and know my thoughts for before he had said verse 2 though understandeth my thought afar off] thou hast fearing God and not withheld thy son thy only one from me [Hence it is plain that it is God himself that speaketh here.]

13. Then Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked about and behold behind there was a ram, [it should seem that the angel called Abraham from behind so that he turning himself about to spy the ram withal instantly apprehending that he was to slay and offer the same there in his son's stead] fast by his horns in the intricate thickets [viz. of some briar or thorn bush] and Abraham went and took that ram and offered it to him for (a) burnt offering in his son's stead.

14. And Abraham [comparing his on his confidence verse 8 with this issue] named the name of that place the LORD shall provide it [understand that the mountain of Morija itself doth signify almost the same thing that is the sight or vision of God] wherefore to this day it is said on the mountain of the LORD it shall be provided [a preverbal speech used by those who being in the exceeds extremity and seeing no human issue cast themselves altogether upon the faithful providence of God.]

15. Then the angel of the Lord called Abraham the second time from heaven.

16. And said I swear by my self [having none greater to swear by Hebrews 6:13 see likewise Jeremiah 2:5 elsewhere God swears by his great name Jeremiah 44:26 or by his soul Jeremiah 51:14 an day his holiness Amos 4:2 that is by himself] speaketh the Lord [Heb. Neum of this word see jeremiah 23.31] therefore because thou hast done this thing and not withheld thy son thy only son [understand hereby no meriting cause of the ensuing promise which was already before made to Abraham but the fruit and the end of Abrahams obedience which God was pleased of his grace and to remunerate and reward with the renewing of his promise with this oath here to the further strengthening of the faith of Abraham and of al true believers the whole church of God see hereof Hebrews 13:14,17,18]

17. Assuredly I will greatly bless thee and multiply thy seed very much [Heb. Blessing bless and multiply I will multiply &c.] as the stars of heaven and as the sand which is on the sea shore [Heb. At the lip of the sea so below chapter 41.3 Joshua 11:4 1Samuel 13.5] and thy seed shall hereditarily possess the gates of the enemies [that is the jurisdiction power and authority cities and countries for of old the place or courts of the public judicature and administration of justice was in the gates Deuteronomy 21:19 and 22.15 Amos 5:12 ,15 Zachariah 8.16 item the strength of the city see judges 5.8 Psalms 147:13 Isaiah 22:7 Ezekiel 21:22 therefore the cities themselves also are called gates Deuteronomy 12:15 and 18.6 even the cities of the whole land Jeremiah 14 verse 2 this was fulfilled as the temporal part in Joshua David &c. but especially and spiritually in the Messiah Psalms .8,9 and 110.1,2,3 Colossians 2:15 who makes his church and servants partakers of his conquest 1Corinthians 15.57 and 2 Corinthians .14 and 10.5,6.]

18. And in thy seed [that is Christ who is to proceed out of thy seed after the flesh see above chapter 12.3] all nations of the earth [not only the off-spring of thy own flesh but all other people likewise that shall believe in thy seed the Messiah see Galatians 3:29] shall be blessed [see Acts 3:25 Galatians 3:8, 16] since thou hast been obedient to my voice [see above on verse 16.]

19. Then Abraham returned to his youth and they got themselves up and they got themselves up and they want together towards Beersheba [see above chapter 21 on verse 31] and Abraham dwelt at Beersheba.

20. And it happened after these things that word was brought to Abraham saying behold Milca [who was not come along with Abraham from Ur of Chaldea into Canaan; but had removed her habitation into Mesopotamia see above chapter 11.9,31 and 24.10] she likewise hath born sons to Nahor thy brother.

21. Uz his first born [this Uz Nahors son is to be distinguished from the two others of that name the one was the son of Aram ,Sems son above chapter 10.23 the other the son of Dischan the son of Seir the Horite below chapter 36.28] and the Buz his brother [from whom some conceive Elihu the Buzrite descended see of him Job 32:2] and Kemuel the father of Aram [see of another Aram above chapter 10.2 it is thought that from the one or both of these of the countries of Syria was called Aram .]

22. And Chesed and Hazo and Pildas and jidlaph and Bethuel.

23. And Bethuel begat Rebecca [Heb. Ribka married afterwards to Isaac below chapter 24] these eight Milca bare to Nahor the brother of Abraham.

24. And his by-wife or concubines [understand such a wife which was taken indeed for propagation of children according to the abusive custom of those days but without any dowry or matrimonial contracts she being subordinate and subject in a manner to the lawful and principal wife her children likewise could not inherit but had only some gifts or legacies bestowed upon them above chapter 21.14 and 25.6 the Hebrew word signifieth a divided or half wife] whose name was Reunia the same have likewise Tebah and Gaham and Tahas and Maacha [this seems to be the mans name here also 2 Samuel 10:6 the name of a certain king and thus likewise the mother of the king Asa was named 1 Kings 15:13.]