Why did God order Abraham to kill his son Isaac.?

Question

Why ask such a thing of anyone? Of course, god provided him a ram to kill instead, but after killing it, it would have left Abraham feeling as if he were still killing his son in his own heart. Isaac would have been scarred for life. Why would God put anyone through these things, except to express his power over all. Was he being a monger, bent on warping the free-will he allegedly provided?

Almost all answers here were good. Thank you, and continue your life under the lord. I, being atheist, cannot. But I envy those who are capable of "faith". Good day.

Answer 1

It was only a test.

Hebrews 11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, 18 of whom it was said, "Through Isaac shall your offspring be named." 19 He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.

Genesis 22:10 Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. 11 But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I." 12 He said, "Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me."

13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called the name of that place, "The LORD will provide"; as it is said to this day, "On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided."

15 And the angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time from heaven 16 and said, "By myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, 18 and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice."

Answer 2

This dramatic episode proved the faith and obedience not only of Abraham but also of his son Isaac. Jewish tradition, recorded by Josephus, says that Isaac was 25 years old at the time. At any rate, he was old enough and strong enough to carry a considerable quantity of wood up a mountain. So, he could have resisted his 125-year-old father when the time came to bind him if he had chosen to be rebellious against Jehovah’s commandments. (Jewish Antiquities, I, 227 [xiii, 2]) Instead, Isaac submissively let his father proceed to offer him as a sacrifice in harmony with God’s will. For this demonstration of Abraham’s faith, Jehovah then repeated and enlarged upon his covenant with Abraham, which covenant was transferred by God to Isaac after the death of Isaac’s father.—Ge 22:15-18; 26:1-5; Ro 9:7; Jas 2:21.
More important, a great prophetic picture was there enacted, portraying how Christ Jesus, the Greater Isaac, would in due time willingly lay down his human life as the Lamb of God for mankind’s salvation.—Joh 1:29, 36; 3:16.

Answer 3

It was a test of obedience and faith. You ask "why would God allow"; this is something that is asked often, and I have asked the same question. I know from looking back that alot of things that God allowed me to go through have molded me and taught me things such as patience, faith, obedience, love, and gratitude, and have given me an awesome testimony which can help others who are going through what I have been through. In Abrahams case, it was so that the story could be recorded, and we today have it to learn and grow from. The truth is that WE CANT SEE THE BIGGER PICTURE. We are not God, so stop trying to know everything and just trust him; this is faith.

Answer 4

Righteousness in humans is very much related to what is in one’s heart—one’s faith in and appreciation and love for Jehovah and his promises—and not just to one’s doing what God requires. The Scriptures say that Abraham “put faith in Jehovah; and he proceeded to count it to him as righteousness.” (Genesis 15:6) Abraham had faith not only in God’s existence but also in his promise regarding the “seed.” (Genesis 3:15; 12:2; 15:5; 22:18) On the basis of such faith and works in harmony with faith, Jehovah could deal with and bless Abraham and other faithful ones even though they were imperfect.—Psalm 36:10; Romans 4:20-22.

Jehovah identified Isaac as the long-awaited heir. (Genesis 21:12) So Abraham must have been stunned when God asked him to sacrifice his son. Yet, Abraham had sound reasons to trust God implicitly. Was Jehovah not able to raise Isaac from the dead? (Hebrews 11:17-19) Had God not proved his power by miraculously reviving the reproductive powers of Abraham and Sarah in order to bring about Isaac’s birth in the first place? Convinced of God’s ability to fulfill His promises, Abraham was ready to obey. True, he was prevented from actually slaying his son. (Genesis 22:1-14) Nevertheless, the role Abraham played in this regard helps us to see how difficult it must have been for Jehovah God to ‘give his only-begotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life.’—John 3:16; Matthew 20:28.

Answer 5

No, He was simply testing Abraham's faith. Abraham knew in his heart that God wouldn't take his son. Isaac gave himself willingly to sacrifice because of his love and trust in God. In biblical times, people had alot more faith than most nowadays and trusted that He would do what was best for all. Not free will, just faith and belief in the God that created them.

Answer 6

it was only a test and if you read the bible and you knew the relationship Abraham had with God you would know that didn't feel as if he was killing his son. God give Abraham the test to warp Abraham's free will, He did it to see if he would stick with Him through good times and bad.

Answer 7

well the proverbial story has a moral lesson. God was testing Abraham and his sons faith.

The way the son gave into it, was a proof that he would do anything God asked. Even give up his own life.

That was enough for God to see that they both had true faith. And thus God made a lesson out of both of them in history.

Answer 8

I understand where you are comming from..but God knew Abraham's heart and conversely Abraham knew God's heart and was full of faith when he assured his son Isaac that God would provide a sacrifice...Abraham was already convinced of God's mercy and goodness.

VERY GOOD ANSWER "SEE THE LIGHT'

Answer 9

It was a test of Abraham's faith. God provided the Lamb, and this was used to prepare Abraham to be the father of many nations. It was credited to him as righteousness, It also pointed toward Christ- God sent His Son as the ultimate sacrifice for our sin-

Answer 10

He knew Abraham's heart. He really did not need to test Abraham. Abraham knew that God was going to either spare his son or rise him from death. I think Abraham needed this experience more than God. No one has never been asked to do this again. The same way God offered the sacrificial "Lamb of God" for us,so that we do not have to die. One time is enough. : )