Tuesday: Isaac’s Question: Where Is the Lamb?
Daily Lesson for Tuesday 8th of April 2025
The Bible’s first mention of a seh (Hebrew: a lamb) occurs in the same story as the first mention of love: Genesis 22:1-24. The lamb, of course, is one of the most persistent symbols found in the book of Revelation, in which Jesus is called “the Lamb” more than 20 times. In one of the most powerful scenes of Revelation—John’s visit to the throne room of God in chapters four and five—the Lamb plays the central role.
Read Genesis 22:7-8; Exodus 12:3-13; and Revelation 5:5-10. How does the story of Isaac’s near-sacrifice help us understand how lambs are used symbolically? How does this story tie into what John sees in Revelation 5:1-14?
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The first mention of a seh (lamb) in the Bible comes in the form of Isaac’s question: “Where is the lamb?” (Genesis 22:7). Interestingly enough, the rest of the Bible answers that question in great detail. The other 38 books of the Old Testament lead the reader along a path where Isaac’s question is progressively answered with more and more details, from the Passover rituals to David’s early occupation and onward. The entire story is punctuated with countless Messianic prophecies that anticipate the answer to Isaac’s question. Then in the New Testament, the question is answered when Jesus appears in flesh and blood, ministers among His people, and finally sacrifices His life at the cross.
Meanwhile, look at the first mention of a Lamb in John’s Gospel, in John 1:29-34. It would almost seem as if John the Baptist is personally answering Isaac’s question, and the setting couldn’t be more apropos. Sinners are repenting and going under the water in baptism, symbolizing the death of the sinner and the beginning of a new life. In this context, Jesus, the Lamb of God, suddenly appears and, according to Matthew’s account, the heavens open to announce Him: “ ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased’ ” (Matthew 3:17, NKJV). Notice how a voice, the Angel of the Lord, also announces from heaven the solution to Abraham and Isaac’s problem (Genesis 22:11-14).
When you weave all the threads together, it is clear that Jesus, the Lamb of God, is our Substitute. That sheds much light on our understanding of the slain Lamb in John’s vision.
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Why is knowing that Jesus is our Substitute so foundational to our salvation? What hope would you have without Him, as that Substitute, especially in the judgment? |
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In Exodus 12 the people were to take the lamb into their home on the 10th day of the month and then sacrifice it on the 14th day of the month. Why do you think God wanted the lamb to be in their home 4 days before sacrificing it?
I remember years ago when my mother was living, she called me to tell me that a young friend of ours had died while waiting for a heart transplant. My mother broke down crying, saying she had lived a full life and asked why she could not have just given this young man her heart. My immediate respone was, "Becaue you are my mother!" I was not about to sacrifice someone so precious to me. yet that is exactly what God did. He did not sacrifice some random animal, He sacrificed His own dear Son! Do you think God wanted the people to actually bond with the lamb before sacrificing it, so they would have a very small taste of what it was like for God to sacrifice His own Son?
This is such a beautiful additional symbolism, Pr. William.
Last year at this time, I brought into our home a shelter tabby cat, Louis. I loved him so. Several months later a predator got him and I was heartbroken, but some more brutally honest family members commented that because he was not as strikingly different, looks-wise, as our previous Persian cat, with its long flowing silver white hair, it was less painful for them when Louis went than when Ty the Persian did. (For the record, I thought Louis was very handsome.) But this is human nature, I think, to be drawn to model beauty, flawless perfection of form, a look that stands out from the others.
I read that later in the Biblical story, the Jewish priesthood established a fifty point check list for determining a blameless animal. They would look at its ears, feet, coloration, eyes, nose – all sorts of things – looking for blemishes. Reminds me of scenes of judging during the Westminster Dog Show. Why this need for perfection? Because it was to depict the perfect sacrifice that we have in the Lord Jesus Christ. This was to be the most perfect lamb they had ever seen, easy to admire and easy to fall in love with.
Over those 4 days in Egypt, the kids would probably have named the lamb (even though their parents may have advised against that) and cuddled it. Each family member came to know this lamb personally.... came to see its God-ascribed merits of perfection.... had moments of affection for it...it was not a generic sacrifice. Perhaps God even intended that they become attached. Just as He pointed out to Abraham, "Take your son, the son THAT YOU LOVE, and give him to Me." God asks us to give Him our most loved treasure. To have no other gods we love more than we love Him. He asked this of the rich young ruler.
Well, and beyond the beauty of the sweet animal, this lamb was going to die for their own personal salvation, was going to take their place when the death angel flew over. It must have felt personal for each of them. Each family member became emotionally and physically and mentally close, in their own way, with their Savior. Jesus rode into Jerusalem 4 days before His death, and the people felt close to Him at this time, giving Him their coats and their children sitting on His lap in the Temple.
I take this as an invitation to invite the Lamb of God into my home, a reminder to have worship together with those who will in my home, rather than keeping Him in a theological pasture out there....just patting Him on Sabbath mornings. When Ellen White tells us to contemplate the life of Jesus during a thoughtful hour daily...that is like cuddling the Lamb....gazing at His perfection and loving Him.
That makes a lot of sense, though for me that would be torture! I think it would have made a big impression.
That being said, the Israelites were farmers and killing animals would have been part of their lives. It might not have hit the same way as we might think. After all, the Old Testament tells us they had no problem sacrificing animal after animal, thinking God was pleased with that. It doesn't take long to be desensitized.
Christina, it is sad that the sacrifices did not break their hearts. God loves animals, and it was never his plan for so many animals to be sacrificed. It was his plan that taking an animals’s life would break the sinners heart and they would turn from their sin. but like he say many, just became desensitized and callous towards it. Unfortunately, many people today have become callous towards the cross.
From quick research, the word “lamb” is used approximately 104 times, however, it depends on the Bible version used. It was used for the first time in Genesis 22:7, and it was used in Revelation 21:22-23, for the last time. It is very comforting to note how gradual and gentle the Lord expounds on the foundational truths. God knows our capacity to understand complexity foundational truths. He takes us gently along the way, nurturing, encouraging and supporting us (Matthew 11:28-30). The first time the word “lamb” is used, we see an innocent animal being sacrificed for the forgiven of human sin. However, the last time the word “lamb” is used, we see Jesus in New Jerusalem providing light for eternity and there will be no need for the sun or the moon. The progressive manner in which God teaches His foundational truths tells us that God desires relationship more than information and God meets us where we are spiritually.
Once we discover the explicit "first mention" in Genesis 22:8-13, we can trace the concept back further to Abel's sacrifice in Gen. 4:4. Since Abel was "a keeper of sheep"(Gen. 4:2), "the firstborn of his flock" was a lamb. And Heb. 11:4 tells us that he offered that lamb "by faith." That tells us that Abel understood the lamb to represent the Messiah who would come to die for the sin of humanity and reconcile man to God.
To dig a little deeper, we may ask how Abel knew to indicate his faith in the Messiah by offering a lamb. The Bible gives us only the barest outlines. However, it does tells us that the Creator made "tunics of skin" to clothe Adam and Eve. There was likely more than one sheep that died that day as the Creator Himself demonstrated that "death" was the consequence of sin by killing the animals before their eyes. (How painful that must have been!!) And then He told them that He would someday die so they could be clothed in His righteousness, as he clothed them in the skins of the innocent animals.
It seems I'm not the first to come to a similar conclusion. Uriah Smith wrote of sacrifices "immediately outside the gates of Eden" in his book, Looking Unto Jesus. Ellen White also writes of the pain Adam felt when he had to kill an animal representing the Savior to come (In The Story of Redemption, page 501)
A little searching also found a comment by the early Protestant commentator, Matthew Henry. Note particularly No. 4.
Thank you, Inge Anderson, for including the precious comments by Matthew Henry. He really understood the sacrificial system's meaning.
May the Holy Spirit teach us more and more each day concerning the sacrifice made for us is my prayer.
Sorry I'm late Ms Inge,
But is there any significance to the ram instead of a lamb?
This has always puzzled me.
Hi Norma, I don't think there's any significance to there being a full-grown ram, rather than an immature lamb. "A lamb" is generally a sheep in its first year, and, for some breeds, the horns are fully developed by the end of that year. The ram caught in the thicket could still have been in its first year and thus still be a "lamb."
The offerings of the sanctuary services also specified other animals for offerings, including oxen and doves. They all represented the Messiah to come in one way or another, even though the lamb offerings were the most common.
Good morning Inge,
Regarding the tunics of skins…
Is it possible that the God of creation created the skins (clothing) without slaying an animal? The record of the clothing by God of Adam and Eve is not real clear…
Of course, it's "possible," Gary. But is it likely? Hardly.
Here's why:
Adam and Even had just incurred the wages of sin - eternal death!! At this point they really knew nothing of death - temporal or eternal. The task of clothing them in animal skins offered the perfect opportunity to teach them about death without killing one of them. Killing the sheep in front of them taught them that their sin had consequences not only for them, but also in the animal kingdom. In the process, Christ demonstrated how to offer a lamb for their sins in their stead to symbolize His dying in their place that they might live.
When else do you suppose Christ taught them these things? Or how else do you think Abel learned to offer a lamb "by faith"?
Other than the record being unclear of how the tunics for Adam and Eve were produced, Heb 2:14 states that the power of death is of Satan. So, my human reasoning brings me to understand that the sacrificial “action” was accomplished by Adam under instruction from God, not by following God’s example.
Also, Patriarchs and Prophets, page 68.1 reveals Adam’s reaction to having sacrificed a lamb knowing it represented his Creator’s ultimate sacrifice. But there’s nothing about the Creator slaying a lamb.
Hi Gary, thank you for the feedback.
Re your first point: Satan having "the power of death" does not necessarily preclude God's executing a judgment of death, as He says He will do in the final judgment. In the same way, I think it doesn't necessarily preclude His slaying the lamb. However, your second paragraph clinches the argument, and I have to agree with you.
It was more illustrative of truth for Adam to kill the lamb, because death was the consequence of his sin. It would also have been more meaningful to Adam and Eve personally.
So, yes, I believe you're right: It is highly likely that the Creator instructed Adam and Eve regarding the consequences of sin and His own redemptive death on their behalf by haven them kill the sheep. It must have been a deeply moving ceremony ...
Thank you for the input!!
The story of Abraham and Isaac helps us understand the lamb as a symbol of substitutionary sacrifice. Someone or something taking the place of another to avert judgment or death.
Knowing Jesus as our Substitute is foundational to salvation because it addresses our fundamental problem: sin and its consequence, death. Without Jesus as a substitute, we would face the full weight of God’s righteous judgment, with no means of escape. But Jesus, as the Lamb, takes our place, bearing the penalty we deserve. Therefore, our sins are forgiven (Isaiah 53:5-6) and we are reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:18-21).
Jesus takes our guilt, takes our place, and pays the price. That's the most explicit prophecy in the Bible. It is so simple that many choose not to believe. Perhaps, instead of focusing on the slain Lamb, we should try to develop a relationship with a living God, a resurrected, loving God who wants to give us abundant and eternal life, too.
Genesis 22:7 features Isaac taking a cursory inventory of the items required for the sacrifice, noting that the most important element, the lamb, (the sacrificial animal) was absent. Was that the moment when Isaac began to realize that he was to be the object of sacrifice? Most would shrink back at that realization, saying, "I'm not sure about this!", however, the rest of the story shows that Isaac didn't resist. Which of us would willingly go to our death for something we haven't done? Probably none of us.
Yet the most important statement, is made in verse 8, when Abraham says that God, Himself, will provide the Lamb. Put another way, God will provide Himself as the Lamb, which is exactly what happened when the Word, the second member of the Godhead, chose to be incarnated, we know him as Yeshua (Hebrew), or Jesus (Greek).
In the pantheon of gods, they are always striving for the supremacy, fighting, and conquering. The one true God of heaven and earth, is the only God that would ever willingly risk his existence for the benefit of his "subjects." He chose to conquer through surrender. What a paradox that is, what an awesome God we have.
Scripture admonishes us to "study to show ourselves approved of God." (2 Tim 2:15) We need to use all of scripture (2 Tim 3:16) to fully discover the awesomeness of our great God and to fully understand Him and His great love, plans, and purposes for us. To relegate our study to only the Lesson study is to short change ourselves. If we want to establish an unshakeable spiritual foundation for these last days, then the Sabbath School lesson study should be a supplement to other regular, systemic, and devotional study. It should be the dessert after a satisfying spiritual meal. Let's covenant to live by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:4) The Sabbath School lesson can be inspiring, but the Word of God is inspired. (God breathed, theos pneustos) Let's get to better know this "One True God."
One True God, Mark Harris
Good morning, I have not seen any comments from Maurice for a few days. I was just wondering if he is well.
God bless.
Lorna, Maurice is well. He is currently traveling. 😀
God choosing a lamb to represent His Son is deeply symbolic and rich with meaning, especially within the context of the Bible’s message of redemption. Here are two key reasons:
1. A Symbol of Innocence and Purity
Lambs are gentle, innocent, and pure—just as Jesus was sinless and blameless. In Exodus 12, the Israelites were instructed to use a spotless lamb for the Passover sacrifice, a symbol of purity and atonement. In the same way, Jesus was the perfect, sinless sacrifice for the sins of the world.
2. A Reflection of God’s Heart
The image of a lamb evokes tenderness, compassion, and self-giving—qualities that reveal God’s deep love for humanity. He did not send a lion, a soldier, or a judge first, but a Lamb. In doing so, He showed that salvation comes not through force, but through love, humility, and sacrifice.
When John the Baptist saw Jesus approaching, he didn’t call Him a king, a prophet, or a miracle worker. He said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). That title reveals the heart of Christ’s mission. Jesus came not to dominate, but to lay down His life in love.
Just as the blood of the Passover lamb covered the doorposts and spared the Israelites from judgment, so Jesus’ blood covers us, shielding us from the penalty of sin. He is our substitute—gentle, spotless, and willing. In a world where power is often abused, God’s power is revealed in humility and grace.
Reflection:
As we consider the Lamb today, let us ask ourselves: Are we living under His covering? Are we allowing His love to soften our hearts and transform our lives?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for sending Jesus, the spotless Lamb, to take away the sins of the world—my sins. I am humbled by His gentleness and moved by His sacrifice. Teach me to walk in the peace, purity, and power of His love. Help me reflect that same grace to others. May I never forget the cost of my salvation, and may my life always point to the Lamb who was slain and now lives forever.
Amen.
To answer the lesson’s question, I want to take a step back and consider the bigger picture by asking: Why did God choose a lamb to symbolize the mitigation of sin’s gravity?
Reflecting on the seriousness of the sin being atoned for — the deep spiritual separation from God that is healed through the 'Lamb'. The Lamb symbolizes spiritual purity — innocence, gentleness, and loving trust. These are the very qualities that speak to the heart of reconciliation.
If the lamb represents these qualities, and Jesus Christ — the Lamb of God — was acceptable in His sight, should we not also embody these same qualities? Having died to sin and received a new nature through our life in Christ, as Romans 6:1–14 teaches, our lives are now rooted in Him!
By accepting God's gift of His Son, and Christ’s self-sacrificing Love symbolized by His death, we can come to see that His innocence, gentleness, and loving trust are not only symbolic but are also meant to be revealed by our new nature. Just as Abraham's faith was rewarded with the provision of a ram, we, too, can rest in the assurance that God satisfies all our needs in Christ Jesus.
If we grew up in a Christian home, we have had the privlege to understand Gods love from Isaac’s experience on the top of mount Moriah, now Mount Moriah was not mentioned in Genesis 22:1-14, just the land of Moriah. From reading Genesis 22, all of it. The pieces of the puzzle form a picture of not only the story, yet also of God’s love. The Lord shall provide, or will provide if you prefer, Genesis 22:14. Now from all these pieces we can get the meaning of Moriah. What is so beautiful all I have just said is in chapter 22 of Genesis, if you dig deeper into the Love of God.
Could it be the Lord shall provide the explanation of Bible prophecy. If it would behoove us to avoid from straying what He provides.