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To prove to Abraham that he would not really kill Isaac, his son.

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Abraham demonstrated his complete faith in God by obediently offering up his beloved son, Isaac, as a sacrifice, at God's command (Genesis 22:1-18). Though he was stopped before the sacrifice was completed, the point was made....Abraham's 'willingness' to be obedient at such a high cost, proved his faithfulness and trust in God (Hebrews 11:19). It gave God someone from whom he could build a nation on earth(the nation of Israel) through whom the Messiah would come, and it prefigured what God would do for mankind through this 'Messiah' by whom 'all nations' would 'bless themselves'(Genesis 22:15-18). This happened, centuries later, when God gave HIS son as a sacrifice for us (Hebrews 11:17+18/Romans 8:32)(Acts 3:16-25) through Abraham's line, giving us a very human understanding of the depth of God's love for faithful humankind.(John 3:16)

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12y ago
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6mo ago

God tested Abraham's faith and obedience by asking him to sacrifice his son. Through this test, Abraham demonstrated his unwavering trust in God, and God ultimately provided a ram for sacrifice instead of Abraham's son. This story is seen as a symbol of faith and obedience in many religious traditions.

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13y ago

The point of the biblical story of Abraham and Isaac is that God does not want human sacrifice. This point had to be made, because there have historically been other religions which practiced human sacrifice.

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12y ago

This is Genesis 22, but references to child sacrifice by parent shows up in a few other places; if you Google Moloch, you'll probably find a few.

The short form: God was testing the obedience of Abraham; there was never any intent for Isaac to be sacrificed. This becomes apparent when the angel sent to stop Abraham from killing Isaac did so in Gen 22:12, usually translated something like: "And he said: 'Lay not thy hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him; for now I know that thou art a God-fearing man, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son, from Me."

Oddly, the command to kill Isaac came after God told Abraham that Abraham would have many decedents through Isaac (Romans 9:7). In other words, trusting the word of God, Abraham should know that Isaac would survive to have children, even if Abraham was to sacrificed Isaac to God.

There is also an odd connection with the sacrifice of Jesus, and references such as "God will provide Himself the lamb ..." (Gen 22:8)

The long form of this is actually a series of debates, ranging far and wide. For example: GEN 22:5, Abraham states the both he and Isaac will be returning from the mountain. This leads to a debate about Abraham knowing that God would not take Isaac. There is another argument that this is a test for Isaac, though I never really gave that one any respect.

Truth be told, I like to leverage the "ineffable plan" concept and claim that though we can see the results of Acts of God, we can only guess at his long term goals. Imagine a small child trying to understand hard decisions adults sometimes are forced to make; the basics may be conveyed, but that's about it.

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Q: Why did god ask abraham to sacrifice his son?
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How did Abraham sacrifice his son?

In the story from the Bible and the Quran, God tested Abraham's faith by asking him to sacrifice his son, Isaac/Ishmael. Abraham demonstrated his faith and obedience by preparing to sacrifice his son, but at the last moment, God provided a ram as a substitute. This act is seen as a demonstration of Abraham's ultimate trust in God.


Who was asked to sacrifice his son in the bible?

God did not ask anyone to kill His Son, but He asked His Son to die for the sin of the world. Jesus (God's Son) said, "The reason my Father [God] loves me is that I lay down my life-only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father" (John 10:17-18). So even though God used humans to kill Jesus, God Himself was the One Who sacrificed His only Son (and then rose him from the dead) because He loved the world. John 3:16 says "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." God loves you and that He has a wonderful plan for your life. God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac. Abraham bound Isaac and was going to kill him, but an angel intervened and Isaac was not killed. God did this so Abraham could better understand how much love God has by giving his only begotten son to be cruelly killed to save mankind.


What did god provide for the sacrifice instead?

if you are talking about the story of Abraham and how he was told by God to sacrifice his son Isaac, than instead of his son he sacrificed a lamb because he was going to sacrifice his son for God and so God said that he had proven his faith and that means he loves him, so instead he let Abraham sacrifice a lamb instead!! hope that helped :D


Which Old Testament character showed his faith by being willing to offer his son on an altar to God?

Abraham showed his faith by being willing to offer his son Isaac on an altar to God, as a test of his obedience and trust in God's promises. However, God provided a ram for the sacrifice instead, recognizing Abraham's faith and obedience.


Did Abraham know that God was going to provide another sacrifice so he would not have to kill his son?

A:Leon R. Kass (The Beginning of Wisdom: Reading Genesis) says that in a strange way the passage about Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son speaks more about God's faith in Abraham than Abraham's faith in God. Kass also cites an insightful comment from a student he taught at his university. If you say that Abraham, when he goes up Mount Moriah, neither hopes nor believes in the slightest that Isaac will somehow be saved or restored at the end of it all - if you say that Abraham has resigned himself wholly to the loss of his son Isaac - then you must also say . . . that Abraham is here offering Isaac to a God whom Abraham believes to be a liar. For did not God promise that "it is through Isaac that offspring shall be called for you (Genesis 21:12)?

Related questions

How Abraham response when god ask him to sacrifice his son?

he accepts


What animal did Abraham use for his sacrifice?

No he ask him to sacrifice his son but then when he was about to do it god stopped him


Which holy book does Abraham ask to sacrifice his son to god appear?

Genesis


Why did god ask Abraham to sacrifice his son isaac?

He wanted to probe him. He wanted proof whether Abraham's belief was strong enough.


How did Abraham sacrifice his son?

In the story from the Bible and the Quran, God tested Abraham's faith by asking him to sacrifice his son, Isaac/Ishmael. Abraham demonstrated his faith and obedience by preparing to sacrifice his son, but at the last moment, God provided a ram as a substitute. This act is seen as a demonstration of Abraham's ultimate trust in God.


Who was asked to take his son and offer him up as a burnt offering?

God asked Abraham to take his son and sacrifice him. This proved how loyal Abraham was to God and because of that God told Abraham that he would sacrifice his son instead....


What did god tell Abraham to do with his son?

Sacrifice him


Who tried to sacrifice their son for God?

Abraham


Who sacrificed his son?

Abraham was told by God to sacrifice his son.


Abraham's Sacrifice a?

God first told Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac, bu then he told him to sacrifice a ram instead.


Where did god send Abraham to sacrafice his special son?

God told Abraham to sacrifice his only son Isaac on Mount Moria h.


Abraham's son carried wood for his own sacrifice What was his name?

In Genesis 22:1-19 Abraham was tested by God to see if he would be willing to sacrifice his son. The son's name was Isaac. Abraham took two of his servants along with Isaac; and Isaac carried wood to the site designated by God. Abraham, with unerring trust in the Lord, was ready to sacrifice whomever or whatever God would ask him to. Of course God intervened and spared Isaac, once He saw that He, God, had chosen wisely the people to be His Chosen People. In the end, Abraham offered up a ram.