The angel of the Lord called to Abraham again and said, “I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me” (Gen. 22:16-18).

When Abraham came down from the hill, holding his Son’s hand after the sacrifice, his sorrow disappeared and was replaced by complete joy because he was proud of himself for having completely followed God’s command. At that time, Abraham had already reached an elderly age. He reminded himself of his life spent without ever having turned away from God. So he was proud of himself for his efforts for God during the last days of his life.

And now, let’s look at the intention of God who commanded Abraham the sacrifice of Isaac. As I explained you before, God planned the crucifixion of Jesus on the cross at the time of Abraham. The work and happenings in the time

of Abraham reflects what was to happen to Jesus in the New Testament. Abraham was the shadow of God, and Isaac was the shadow of Jesus. I’d like to briefly introduce how Jesus behaved when he was in this world, knowing he had to follow Isaac’s life as his shadow.

Solomon built a temple at the place where Abraham brought his son Isaac to Moriah to sacrifice for God (2Chr. 3:1). Jesus was crucified on the hill of Golgotha. That hill was the place where Abraham came to sacrifice Isaac.

Moses transferred God’s word, “A man guilty of a capital offense is put to death and his body is hung on a tree” (Deut. 21:22-23). Paul also said, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree” (Gal. 3:13). The great prophet Isaiah, who was much loved by God, prophesied about the Messiah, saying, “For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken” (Is. 53:8).

When Jesus read in the Bible how prophets prophesied about him, he knew the records were for him. So he did not behave on his own, he just followed as prophesied in the Bible as God’s will.

When he died on the cross, he cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi,