Abraham and Isaac: Bible Story for Kids

The Lord Will Provide

Provision
Trust
Rescue

Bible reference:: Genesis 22:1-14
Ages:: 3-10
Reading time:: 6 minutes
Pages:: 32

The story of Abraham and Isaac, told from a father's side of a three-day walk. Abraham was a hundred years old when the boy whose name means Laughter was born. Now God has asked for him. Isaac carries the wood and asks where the lamb is; his father says God will provide.

Good for: Facing Fears, Worrying, Waiting Patiently

Read the full illustrated story in the app

The story arc

Four moments that carry the story. Tap any Bible reference to read the passage.

1
The Hard Journey
God gives Abraham a very hard test, but Abraham chooses to trust God's promises.
Genesis 22:1-4Read the Bible passage
¹After these things, God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” He said, “Here I am.” ²He said, “Now take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go into the land of Moriah. Offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains which I will tell you of.” ³Abraham rose early in the morning, and saddled his donkey; and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son. He split the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went to the place of which God had told him. ⁴On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place far off.
Genesis 22:1-4 (World English Bible, British Edition)
2
The Big Question
Isaac asks where the lamb is. Abraham answers with faith: “God will provide.”
Genesis 22:6-8Read the Bible passage
⁶Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. He took in his hand the fire and the knife. They both went together. ⁷Isaac spoke to Abraham his father, and said, “My father?” He said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “Here is the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” ⁸Abraham said, “God will provide himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they both went together.
Genesis 22:6-8 (World English Bible, British Edition)
3
The Empty Hands
Abraham fully trusts God with his beloved son, lifting his empty hands in surrender.
Genesis 22:9-10Read the Bible passage
⁹They came to the place which God had told him of. Abraham built the altar there, and laid the wood in order, bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar, on the wood. ¹⁰Abraham stretched out his hand, and took the knife to kill his son.
Genesis 22:9-10 (World English Bible, British Edition)
4
The Rescue
God provides a ram to take Isaac's place! Abraham names the mountain “Jehovah Jireh”.
Genesis 22:11-14Read the Bible passage
¹¹The LORD’s angel called to him out of the sky, and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” He said, “Here I am.” ¹²He said, “Don’t lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him. For now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” ¹³Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and saw that behind him was a ram caught in the thicket by his horns. Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering instead of his son. ¹⁴Abraham called the name of that place “The LORD Will Provide”. As it is said to this day, “On the LORD’s mountain, it will be provided.”
Genesis 22:11-14 (World English Bible, British Edition)

Core truths

TRUST

When things seem impossible or scary, we can trust that God is a good Father.

THE JEHOVAH JIREH BADGE

Awarded for trusting that God always provides exactly what we need.

RESCUE

God provided a substitute to take Isaac's place, pointing us directly to Jesus.

Why it matters

Shifts this story away from “trauma” to a beautiful, comforting picture of faith and rescue.
Introduces the Gospel idea of “substitution”: the ram took Isaac's place, just like Jesus took ours.
Comforts anxious children by teaching that God is our ultimate Provider (Jehovah Jireh).