In Genesis chapter 22, we come across this overwhelming passage where God commanded Abraham to sacrifice his long-awaited and promised son, Isaac.

This narrative appalls many people leaving them to question the nature of a God who would issue such a command.

Aside from that, Abraham is regarded as the father of all three major faiths in the world (Islam, Judaism, and Christianity). Having said that, only the Christian faith can provide the right reason and motive behind God’s command to Abraham to sacrifice his son.

As you read this biblical account, you will notice that Abraham does not even question God. Instead, he sets out in faithful obedience to sacrifice his only son Isaac.

Abraham’s unwavering obedience, to sacrifice Isaac without question, can be startling to modern sensibilities. Yet, we must approach this ancient narrative with an understanding of its cultural context. Abraham, originating from a region where child sacrifice was a common act of devotion, might have perceived this as a test of ultimate faithfulness.

Nevertheless, just as he was about to slay his son, God interrupted him (as if to say I am different than the other Gods) and provided him with a substitute sacrifice.

However, the crux of this story is not in the act itself but in its interruption. As Abraham raises his knife, God intervenes, providing a ram as a substitute (Genesis 22:13-14). This moment is pivotal: it highlights a God who contrasts starkly with the deities of the surrounding cultures, a God who ultimately provides for a sacrifice by giving His own son.

This event foreshadows a greater act of divine provision. Two thousand years ago, God fulfilled this very promise by taking His own begotten son up Mount Calvary (the crucifixion), and this time the axe did not stop and God unleashed the wrath intended for our sins on Jesus so that we could live.

God does not command human sacrifice but instead provided the ultimate sacrifice for us and by believing in it and repenting of our sins we are granted everlasting life.

This leads us to ponder a profound another theological question: does God have the right to command life and death?

The scriptures clearly teach that we all have sinned, and the wages of sin is death (Romans 3:23 & 6:23). But the fact that we are alive is a testament to God’s mercy, allowing us to take another breath despite the just punishment we deserve.

Therefore, if God commands the death of anyone, it would be within the framework of His righteousness, holiness, and justice. But God shows His mercy and patience by giving us common grace in that we are not punished the moment we deserve it.