Abraham and Isaac, by Religious Tract Society
Genesis 18–23; Lesson 27
Genesis 22
A Similitude of Jesus Christ
Visit “Studying the Scriptures” to help prepare yourself spiritually to learn.
God commanded the prophet Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac. This commandment tested Abraham’s faith and obedience. Just as Abraham was willing to offer his son, God the Father willingly sent His Son to be the ultimate sacrifice for us. This lesson can help you feel the love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have for you.
Study the Scriptures
Think about how often you feel the love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have for you.
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, then a member of the First Presidency, described the love Heavenly Father has for His children:
Think of the purest, most all-consuming love you can imagine. Now multiply that love by an infinite amount—that is the measure of God’s love for you.
God does not look on the outward appearance. I believe that He doesn’t care one bit if we live in a castle or a cottage, if we are handsome or homely, if we are famous or forgotten. Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Though we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and without compass, God’s love encompasses us completely. (“The Love of God,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2009, 22)
The scriptures contain many teachings that describe the love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have for us. One example is in John 3:16. Read John 3:16, looking for the greatest manifestation of Heavenly Father’s love.
If available, watch “For God So Loved the World” (4:48). While watching, reflect on the love Heavenly Father has for you.
Next to John 3:16, make a note summarizing what the video or verse teaches you about the love of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
The account of Abraham and Isaac can teach us about the love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ demonstrated toward us through the Savior’s atoning sacrifice.
It can be helpful to visualize the story of Abraham and Isaac. Read the verses and then pause to consider what is happening. Or you could watch “Akedah (The Binding)” (12:57). Use the video time codes to help you study Genesis 22:1–18. Remember to record your thoughts in your notebook.
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Genesis 22:1–2 (time code 0:00 to 1:34). Think about questions Abraham may have had.
12:57 -
Genesis 22:3–6 (time code 3:08–6:00). Look for evidence that this was a difficult commandment for Abraham to obey.
12:57 -
Genesis 22:7–9 (time code 6:01–10:10). Look for ways Isaac reminds you of Jesus Christ.
12:57 -
Genesis 22:10–18 (time code 10:11–12:57). Record what you learned about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
12:57
Review the following study options. Complete one or more.
Option A
How can I feel God’s love for me?
President Thomas S. Monson (1927–2018) explained:
Your Heavenly Father loves you—each of you. That love never changes. It is not influenced by your appearance, by your possessions, or by the amount of money you have in your bank account. It is not changed by your talents and abilities. It is simply there. It is there for you when you are sad or happy, discouraged or hopeful. God’s love is there for you whether or not you feel you deserve love. It is simply always there. (“We Never Walk Alone,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 123–24)
To help you reflect on the love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have for you, listen to or read the words of a hymn or song that focuses on Their love. For example, you could read or listen to “God Loved Us, So He Sent His Son” (Hymns, no. 187). Or you could search Gospel Library by filtering the search to find music.
Record in your notebook lyrics that help you feel the love of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
Option B
How are Abraham and Isaac a symbol of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?
The Nephite prophet Jacob helps us understand the powerful symbolism in Abraham and Isaac’s story. He taught that the sacrifice was “a similitude of God and his Only Begotten Son” (Jacob 4:5). A similitude is a similarity, comparison, likeness, or shadow.
The following chart shows how the story of Abraham and Isaac is symbolic of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
As you read about Abraham and Isaac, mark each passage in a unique color or style. Then, make a short note with the information about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ next to each phrase.
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Abraham and Isaac |
Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ |
|---|---|
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Genesis 22:2, 12—“thine only son” |
Jesus Christ is Heavenly Father’s Only Begotten Son (see John 3:16). |
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Genesis 22:2—“a burnt offering” |
Animal sacrifice was symbolic of Jesus Christ (see Moses 5:4–7). |
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Genesis 22:6—“took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son” |
Christ carried His cross (see John 19:16–18). |
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Genesis 22:7–8—“God will provide himself a lamb” |
Heavenly Father sent His Son, the Lamb of God, as an atoning sacrifice (see John 1:29). |
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Genesis 22:9—“bound Isaac his son” |
Christ was bound to the cross with nails (see 1 Nephi 11:33). |
Record a symbol in the story of Abraham and Isaac that helped you feel the love your Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have for you.
Share Your Thoughts
Lesson Purpose: To help you feel the love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have for you.
Share one or more of the following with your teacher or class:
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The song lyrics that help you feel loved. Share why.
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What you learned about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ from the story of Abraham and Isaac.
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Something specific you did to achieve the purpose of this lesson.
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Any questions this lesson raised for you. How will you try to find answers to your questions?