Genesis 22, Matthew 22

DateVersionReading Plan
January 22, 2025ESV (2016)OT/NT Plan 2025 – 2027

Genesis 22

Following the covenant made with Abimelech and his sojourning in the land of the Philistines, Abraham is tested by God. Abraham is instructed by God to go to the land of Moriah and sacrifice his only son, Isaac. Notably, God refers to Isaac as Abraham’s “only son” three times (Gen. 22:2, 11, 16) even though Ishmael was also borne to Abraham. The TGCBC provides clarity in this matter in that “Having sent Ishmael away, Isaac is now Abraham’s sole heir.”

Without hesitation, Abraham obeys the command and set out early the next morning with Isaac and two young men. In Gen. 22:6 in which the ESV says that “Abraham took the wood from the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son.” Later, in Gen. 22:9, it says that Abraham laid Isaac “on top of the altar, on top of the wood”. Whether Isaac was underneath the wood or was laid on top of it is not pivotal to the narrative, but it seems an interesting detail to note.

Abraham took the knife to slaughter his son, but an angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and told him not to lay a hand on the boy. As the TGCBC states, “The expression ‘angel of the LORD’ probably denotes God himself rather than a messenger.” Abraham lifted up his eyes, saw a ram caught in the thicket by his horns and took it to be the burnt offering instead of Isaac. The angel of the LORD called down a second time, swore by Himself that He would surely multiply Abraham’s offspring and that, through Abraham’s offspring, all the nations of the earth would be blessed.

Next is the account Abraham being told that Milcah, the wife of his brother Nahor, had borne children. The children are listed and, in Gen. 22:23, we are provided Rebekah’s lineage as the daughter of Bethuel. The TGCBC makes note that “This short section forms a bridge between the main part of the Abraham narrative and the episodes recounting the death of Sarah and the acquisition of a wife for Isaac.”

Key Takeaways and Application

The theme of faithfulness continues in this chapter, both of Abraham to proceed without hesitation in carrying out God’s command to sacrifice his only son and of God Himself to keep His promise to bless Abraham and make of him a great nation. The events depicted in this chapter are some of the most compelling and convicting in all of Scripture, leading us to self-examination and whether we would respond in faith as to sacrifice an only child. While it is likely this will never be called upon us, may we see our need to make the necessary sacrifices that bring glory to our God.

Matthew 22

Matthew captures several of the events and teachings of Jesus in this chapter, but the parable of the wedding feast in the opening verses seemed especially striking. In this, Jesus depicts a king who gave a wedding feast for his son and sent servants to call those who were invited. They would not come, so he sent other servants to tell the invited that he had prepared his dinner of his oxen and fat calves and that everything was ready. However, they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm another to his business. The rest acted especially wickedly, seizing the king’s servants, treated them shamefully and killed them.

The king was angered at their actions, sending troops who destroyed the murderers and burned their city. The king told his servants that the feast was ready but those invited were unworthy. He told the servants to go to the main roads and invite to the feast as many as they found. The result was a wedding hall filled with guests.

However, one of the guests had no wedding garment and the king asked how he got into the feast. The man was speechless and the king had him bound hand and foot and cast into the outer darkness, a place with weeping and gnashing of teeth. Jesus concludes the parable by saying, “For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Key Takeaways and Application

The response of the guests to the king’s invitation exemplifies the human heart of sin and rebellion. The invited went as far as killing the servants who carried the message, demonstrating both the level of rejection we should expect in our sharing of the gospel as well as the depth of depravity to which man is capable. Despite the difficulty, the faithful are called to remain steadfast in helping others to see the coming extravagant feast with the Lamb. What a joyous moment it will be to sit at the banquet table with our Lord! It is wonderful news that will sadly be dismissed by many—even to the point of retaliation—but our lives should be marked by our devotion to Christ and obedience to His commission to share it with the nations.

Resources