Mount Moriah is an incredibly significant mountain in the Bible and has a variety of scholarly/oral traditions attached to the mountain. It’s actual location is the name given to the the elongated north-south stretch of land lying between Kidron Valley and “Hagai” Valley, between Mount Zion to the west and the Mount of Olives to the east. Here are just a few of the religious traditions or oral histories associated with Mount Moriah.
🏔️ The northern area around the mountain’s summit was the private property of Araunah during David’s reign. So, David bought it from him at full value: “So David paid Ornan [Auranah] for the site 600 shekels’ worth of gold. And David built there an altar to the Lord and sacrificed burn offerings and offerings of well-being” (1 Chronicles 21 & 2 Samuel 24.)
🏔️ It is the mount upon with the Temple was built during King Solomon’s reign.
🏔️ Some believe it is the same location as Jacob’s dream of the ladder into Heaven (Genesis 28).
🏔️Probably the most extreme tradition is that the summit of Mount Moriah is the called the “Foundation Stone,” and is considered the symbolic foundation of the world’s creation. It is also supposedly the site of the Temple’s Holy of Holies.
Now, these oral histories/ traditions are simply just that – oral traditions/histories. Some are scholarly studies with the best available information. There is however for thing for sure we know about Mount Moriah. Mount Moriah is the location of Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac.
“Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” – Genesis 22:2
If you’re unfamiliar with the story of Abraham and Isaac, you can read through Genesis 12 – 22 for the full story. The cliff notes version is Abraham was blessed by God to be the father of God’s people here on earth. To do this, Abraham, who was very old, was promised a son with his barren wife Sarah. After years and years of more waiting, God finally fulfilled His promised and Abraham and Sarah were blessed with their only son – Isaac.
Now, flash forward several years and God gives Isaac what is seemingly a heartless and impossible command. God instructs Abraham to take Isaac to the top of Mount Moriah and sacrifice him there. The account is found in Genesis 22. Without any questioning from Abraham got up the very next morning and obeyed God. He didn’t dawdle. He didn’t asked God 101 questions. He didn’t rail against God for telling him to kill Abraham’s only beloved son. Nope, the account reads:
Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about.
Now, eventually Issac and Abraham ascent the mountain alone – leaving the servants behind. Isaac eventually asks his father, “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” to which Abraham simply stated, ““God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” Abraham and Isaac continued a little ways up and eventually reached the alter. There Abraham began the process of completing God’s command of sacrificing Isaac. He tied Isaac to the alter and the text reads, “Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!”” God stayed his hand. Abraham had passed the ultimate test of faith and God provided him a ram to sacrifice instead. Abraham and Isaac built an alter and named it Jehovah – Jireh – The Lord Will Provide.
The Hebrew writer gives us a little more insight into the heart and mind of Abraham during that ascent up Mount Moriah. 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, of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. Abraham was wiling to obey God even to the point of actually sacrificing Isaac because he believed God’s promises that from Isaac was his promised son. So, Abraham believed that God would raise Isaac from the dead in need be. God would not go back on His promises.
Abraham’s faith in God was so profound and so deep that in led to his complete and total obedience atop Mount Moriah. He was willing to sacrifice his beloved son because He trusted in God to keep His promises. God tested the lengths of Abraham’s faith and obedience. Abraham passed with flying colors.
If God tested the Father of the Faithful, who are we to think that God does not test our faith and obedience? He requires hard things from us. He requires sacrifice from us. He requires that we are willing to give up our most prized possession or relationship for Him. God does not tests us for pleasure or fun. His tests are meant to purify and strengthen us. They teach us lessons about ourselves and about God. We must believe like Abraham that if we obey God – no matter what happens to us in this life – God will fulfill His promises to us.
🏔️ Trust and obey God completely so you can summit Mount Moriah with Abraham. #MountainsofGod #MountaineeringForGod
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