In your mind’s eye, how old was Isaac when Yehovah told Abraham to bring him to Mount Moriah, kill him and make him a burnt offering (an olah)? In the olah offering it is the smoke that comes from the altar which is the sweet aroma to Yehovah. Most people see a boy being led by his father up the hill.
But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” Then he said, “Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt [olah] offering?” And Abraham said, “My son, Elohim (his lawmaker and judge) will provide for Himself the lamb for a olah.” So the two of them went together. (Gen 22:7-8)
In our last meeting (Abraham walked with Yehovah) we saw that Isaac was 37 and his brother (Ishmael) was 51 (when Yehovah, after talking with Satan, decided to test Abraham; that would make Abraham 137 and and Sarah (Isaac’s mother) 127. Is it a coincidence that Sarah died that same year that Isaac was taken by Abraham from Beersheva up to mount Moriah? The book of Yasher provides much background information that brings new life to this story.
Sarah lived one hundred and twenty-seven years; these were the years of the life of Sarah. (Gen 23:1)
Sarah loved Isaac as much as Abraham did and he needed an excuse for taking Isaac away from her. Listen to their conversation.
Yasher 23:4 And Abraham came into the tent, and he sat before Sarah his wife, and he spoke these words to her,
5 My son Isaac is grown up and he has not for some time studied the service of his Elohim, now tomorrow I will go and bring him to Shem, and Eber his son, and there he will learn the ways of Yehovah, for they will teach him to know Yehovah as well as to know that when he prays continually before Yehovah, he will answer him, therefore there, he will know the way of serving Yehovah his Elohim.
6 And Sarah said, Thou hast spoken well, go my lord and do unto him as thou hast said, but remove him not at a great distance from me, neither let him remain there too long, for my soul is bound within his soul.
7 And Abraham said unto Sarah, My daughter, let us pray to Yehovah our Elohim that He may do good with us.
In their 40 mile, 3 day trek to Moriah, Satan comes to each of the men who are with Abraham in an effort to subvert Abraham from completing his appointed task on this appointed day; the Time of Life, or as most think of it today, Passover.
Who were the two men who went with Abram and Isaac to Moriah, but stayed at the bottom of the hill and waited for them to return?
A Sweet Aroma To Yehovah
Here is Isaac’s response to Abraham when he discovers that he is to be the olah this day. What lovers of Yehovah these two men are.
Yasher 23:54 And Isaac answered his father Abraham and said unto him, O my father, as Yehovah liveth and as thy soul liveth, there is nothing in my heart to cause me to deviate either to the right or to the left from the word that he has spoken to thee.
55 Neither limb nor muscle has moved or stirred at this, nor is there in my heart any thought or evil counsel concerning this.
56 But I am of joyful and cheerful heart in this matter, and I say, Blessed is Yehovah who has this day chosen me to be an olah before Him [a sweet aroma to Yehovah].
Isaac, this precious man of Elohim was more concerned with his mother than he was with his own life.
Yasher 23:62 And Isaac still said to his father, O my father, when thou shalt have slain me and burnt me for an offering, take with thee that which shall remain of my ashes to bring to Sarah my mother, and say to her, This is the sweet-smelling savor of Isaac; but do not tell her this if she should sit near a well or upon any high place, lest she should cast her soul after me and die.
63 And Abraham heard the words of Isaac, and he lifted up his voice and wept when Isaac spake these words; and Abraham’s tears gushed down upon Isaac his son, and Isaac wept bitterly, and he said to his father, Hasten thou, O my father, and do with me the will of Yehovah our Elohim as He has commanded thee.
64 And the hearts of Abraham and Isaac rejoiced at this thing which Yehovah had commanded them; but the eye wept bitterly whilst the heart rejoiced.
Well, I hope you will take the time to listen, or download and then listen to this wonderful story. It will touch your heart.
A Sweet Aroma to Yehovah / Sarah Passes with Joy
2G28 Genesis 23 & Jasher 23-24:17
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