Mt. Moriah, The Place of Sacrifice
While I was studying this week I came across the name of a place called Mt. Moriah. The name Moriah means “God is my teacher,” and how appropriate for us this morning as we look at the importance of this place in the Bible. I did some research and found a gold mine of information about it that I hope to share. This is not just a geography lesson but it is an important place in the Scriptures.
Genesis 22:1 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.
2 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.
3 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.
I. For Abraham Mt. Moriah is A Place of Provision
Genesis 22:1 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.
2 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.
3 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.
When they reached the site, three days later, Abraham orders the servants to stay, while he and Isaac go on ahead. Abraham tells his servants two very important things that have tremendous: “I and the boy will worship…” Abraham is going to sacrifice his son and what word does he use to describe what he is about to do? “Worship.” What typically comes to mind when you and I think of worship? Abraham offered the most important part of his life, his only son, the son of the covenant.
The second thing he said is “…then we will come back to you.” Abraham had had three days to think about what the death of Isaac would mean and he believed that God would raise Isaac from the dead so that they both could come back down the mountain. Listen to what the book of Hebrews has to say about this point in the 11th chapter…”
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
950 years later we see this place of sacrifice figure prominently in the life of an important Bible character.
II. For David Mt. Moriah is A Place of Penance
2 Samuel 24:24 And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.
“The story is told of the pig and the chicken that went to Church and heard the Pastor was going to do his birthday. Each offered to donate towards the birthday. The Chicken offered to donate eggs and asked the pig to give bacon so that the pastor would have a good breakfast. The pig looked at the chicken and said: “Do you understand what you are saying? To you an egg is an offering; to me, bacon is a total sacrifice!”
What are you giving to God, Sacrifice of Offering?
III. For Solomon Mt. Moriah is A Place of Praise
Whereas the mention of Moriah in Genesis could be referring to any mountainous region, the book of Chronicles says that the location of Araunah's threshing floor is on "Mount Moriah" and that the Temple of Solomon was built over Araunah's threshing floor.
2 Chron 3:1 Then Solomon began to build the house of the Lord at Jerusalem in mount Moriah, where the Lord appeared unto David his father, in the place that David had prepared in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.
2 And he began to build in the second day of the second month, in the fourth year of his reign.
There were 1767 years between the death of Abraham and the birth of Jesus.
IV. For Jesus Mt. Moriah is A Place of Passion
According to many scholars, Golgotha and the ancient site of Mount Moriah may be the same area. In other words, scholars believe that Jesus may have been crucified near Moriah or at its summit!
Mount Moriah is where God dwells with His people. But, Mount Moriah later comes to be known as Mount Zion, in the midst of Jerusalem. The Hebrew people revere this account of Abraham and Isaac so highly that it has its own title of its own!
The Hebrew people revere this account of Abraham and Isaac so highly that it has its own title and place in their faith. They call it the Aqedah, which is the Hebrew word for “binding.” Isaac is the only “bound,” tied-down sacrifice in the Old Testament. All other sacrifices are first killed and then placed upon the altar as their blood is poured and sprinkled. Isaac is the only bound sacrifice, the only living sacrifice in the Old Testament. In the rest of the Bible, there is only one more.
Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, is the only New Testament sacrifice to be found. He is nailed to the altar of the cross to suffer and die. He is both the only begotten Son and the substitute ram for the sacrifice.
“There are Christological implications all over this text! When you really dig down, you can’t help but make connections to Jesus Christ.
The Lord said to Abraham: “Your only son Isaac, whom you love.” Obviously, Abraham has another son, Ishmael. How then should we understand, “your only son”? Looking at the language of the entire chapter, we can see a connection to the only-begotten Son of God. We are more like Ishmael. Jesus is like Isaac.
Donkeys are quite capable of navigating the mountains (hills) in this part of the country of Israel. Why does Abraham leave the donkey behind? The answer is seen in his placing the wood on his son Isaac, who then bears the wood upon which he will be sacrificed further up the mountain. Again, a strong Christological connection is evident. Jesus would carry the wood of His cross beam so that He could be laid upon it as the sacrifice.
Wateroflifelutheran.com
1.Both fulfilled PROMISES:
Isaac was the long-promised son to Abraham (Genesis 12:3)
Jesus was the long-promised Messiah and Son of God (Genesis 3:15; 13:3, John 1:1-12)
2. Both were the ONLY SON of their father:
God said that Isaac was “Your son, your only son, whom you live…” to Abraham(Genesis 22: 2)
God said “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased!” (Matthew 3:16, 17).
3. Both had a MIRACULOUS BIRTH:
Isaac was born to parents who were very old - Genesis 18:13.
Jesus was born of a virgin, Mary, and conceived by the Holy Spirit - Luke 1:34-35.
4. Both had a conception and birth that was PRE-ANNOUNCED - Genesis 18:10 & Luke 1:30–31.
5. Both were NAMED before their birth - Genesis 17:19 & Matthew 1:21.
6. Both were MOCKED and persecuted by their own kindred - Genesis 21:9 & Mark 15:29–32.
7. Both were UNDESERVING of their sacrificial death - Genesis 22:2, Luke 23:41.
8. Both were sacrificed near the very SAME PLACE - Genesis 22:3 & Matthew 27:33.
9. Both were LOVED by their fathers (Genesis 22:2; Matthew 3:16, 17).
10. Both had a THREE-DAY experience:
Isaac had a 3-day hike to Mt. Moriah.
Jesus had 3 days from the cross to the grave to the resurrection.
11. Both WERE accompanied by TWO MEN:
Isaac by two servants (Genesis 22:3)
Jesus by two thieves (Matthew 27:38)
12. Both carried their own WOOD:
Isaac carried the wood for his own sacrifice (Genesis 22:6).
Jesus carried the crossbeam of his cross (John 19:17).
13. Both SUBMITTED to their father:
Isaac willingly laid down his life, submitting to his father (Genesis 22:9).
Jesus submitted to his Father’s will and laid down his life for our sin (Luke 22:42, Romans 5:8).
14. Both asked a QUESTION of their father:
Isaac asked Abraham “Here is the fire and the wood, Father, but where is the lamb? (Gen. 22:7).
Jesus cried “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” from the cross (Matthew 27:46).
15. Both were BROUGHT BACK from the dead:
Isaac was “brought back” figuratively (Genesis 22:12) by the faith of Abraham.
Jesus rose from the dead 3 days after he was crucified (Matthew 28:6-7).
THINK ABOUT IT:
There are no accidents or coincidences within the will of God. The story of Abraham and Isaac was given to us to show us God's plan of salvation through sacrificing His only Son, Jesus, for our sin. On the Cross, Jesus became what we WERE, that we might have what HE IS! (II Corinthians 5:21). Dr. Larry Petton
Conclusion: “How does the thief on the cross fit into your theology? No baptism, no communion, no confirmation, no speaking in tongues, no mission trip, no volunteerism, and no church clothes. He couldn’t even bend his knees to pray. He didn’t say the sinner's prayer and among other things, he was a thief. Jesus didn’t take away his pain, heal his body, or smite the scoffers. Yet it was a thief who walked into heaven the same hour as Jesus simply by believing. He had nothing more to offer other than his belief that Jesus was who he said he was. No spin from brilliant theologians. No ego or arrogance. No Shiny lights, skinny jeans, or crafty words. No haze machine, donuts, or coffee in the entrance. Just a naked dying man on a cross unable to even fold his hands to pray.”
For God so loved the world he gave his only begotten son so that whosoever believed in him would not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16
I read this today and was reminded of the simplicity of the Gospel
Andrew Snow
