Fire and Knife
The only things we have to offer God—like Abraham.
“And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together.”
—Genesis 22:6 (ESV)
”Abraham carried two things up that mountain: fire and knife. These are the only things we truly have to offer God—our spirit and our volition or motives.”
The fire represents our spirit—the supernatural awareness we carry in this temporal world. The same fire that Abraham took from his hearth, which once warmed his family, baked their bread, and heated their soup, was now to consume the body of his beloved son. But it wasn’t just Isaac’s body he was laying on that altar—it was everything. He was laying down the dream, the promise, the destiny—his future, his legacy—all on the line. Isaac wasn’t just a son; he was the fulfillment of decades of waiting, believing, hoping. He was the evidence of a covenant, the embodiment of God’s faithfulness. And yet, Abraham prepared to offer it all back to the Lord.
That ember, wrapped and carried up the mountain, became a symbol of total surrender—not just of a person, but of his purpose. There would be no grieving, no burial—only fire to reduce the promise to smoke. That fire in Abraham’s hand was both terrifying and holy. It held the power to consume what God had given—and yet Abraham trusted that somehow, even if the flame reduced it all to ashes, God could still bring life from the fire.
“Isaac turned to Abraham and said, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “We have the fire and the wood,” the boy said, “but where is the sheep for the burnt offering?” “God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son,” Abraham replied. And they both walked on together.”
Genesis 22:7-8
The knife represents our volition or motive—our will, our intent. Like the double-edged sword in Hebrews, it pierces beyond flesh and bone, cutting into soul and spirit. It discerns the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Abraham carried the very instrument that would reveal his heart before God. Where the edge of the knife leads, reveals our heart!
“The sacrifice of an evil person is detestable, especially when it is offered with wrong motives.”
Proverbs 21:27
Abraham’s motive was with a right heart, and he was ready to slay the son of promise—showing full obedience and a humble heart toward the Everlasting God.
Together, fire and knife—spirit and motive—were stewarded in obedience.
We walk similar paths. Around us are our own promises: family, friends, church, jobs—everything this world offers. All of it sits quietly beside us, reminding us of God’s requirement for obedience through sacrifice.
My fire and knife—my spirit and motive—must be at the ready. While we are not called, like Abraham, to physical sacrifice in blood, the call to spiritual sacrifice and obedience remains. Jesus fulfilled the ultimate sacrifice, once and for all.
“And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith.”
Genesis 15:6
The God of Abraham is the same today. Abraham planted a tree and called Him Everlasting God.
It was Abraham’s faith in action of obedient sacrifice that made him righteous before God.
What is our obedient sacrifice?
“You yourselves, like living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
—1 Peter 2:5 (ESV)
With the blade in one hand and fire in the other, we ascend the mountains of our lives—not to spill blood, but to determine what spiritual sacrifices are acceptable to God.
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”
—Romans 12:1 (ESV)
The offering on Mount Moriah was a body. Today, it is Jesus’ body that perfects ours, making us holy and acceptable. What better offering could we bring to God than what is pure and spotless—through Christ?
Paul urges us not to offer death, but life. We are to present our bodies—alive and willing—as an act of spiritual worship.
So today, as we take up the Word—our knife—and carry the fire of the Spirit, may we remember Abraham’s faith and obedience. He offered what was most precious to him.
In the same way, let us not only remember what we carry in our hands, but also that we ourselvesare the sacrifice God desires: a living offering, holy and acceptable in His sight.
- Gabe Voorhees