THE GREATEST TEST OF FAITH

Later, the Lord decided to test Abraham's faith again. God gave Abraham a very severe test. If Abraham had passed the first test by waiting patiently for God's promise to be fulfilled in Sarah, he would not have had to go through this second terrible test. Abraham had taken Hagar as his wife, so God had to give him another test. This would be the hardest test ever given to a human being.SRme 1.278

The Lord said to Abraham, "'Take your son, . . . your only son, Isaac, whom you love so much, and go to the land of Moriah. There on a mountain that I will show you, offer him as a sacrifice to Me'" (Gen. 22:2).SRme 1.279

Abraham did not doubt God and hesitate. Early in the morning he took two of his servants, and Isaac, his son, and the wood for the burnt offering, and started for the place God had told Abraham to go. Abraham did not tell Sarah the real reason for their journey to Moriah. He knew that her great love for Isaac would lead her to distrust God and not let Isaac go.SRme 1.280

Abraham did not let his love for Isaac control him and cause him to rebel against God. God's command was given in words that were meant to test the deepest feelings in Abraham's heart. "Take your son," God said. Then, to test his faith more, God added, "Your only son, Isaac, whom you love." Isaac was Abraham's only son of promise. "Offer him as a sacrifice to Me."SRme 1.281

Abraham and Isaac traveled for three days to the mountain. Abraham had plenty of time to think about and doubt God's command if he wanted to. But Abraham trusted God. Now he did not reason that God would fulfill the promise through Ishmael. God had told Abraham plainly that the promise would be fulfilled through Isaac.SRme 1.282

Abraham believed that Isaac was the son of promise. He also believed that God meant just what He said when He told Abraham to offer Isaac as a sacrifice. He did not doubt that God would fulfill His promise. He believed that the God who had given Sarah a son in her old age and had asked him to take Isaac's life, could give Isaac life again by raising him from the dead.SRme 1.283

Abraham asked the servants to stay part way up the mountain while he and Isaac went further up the mountain to worship God. Abraham did not want the servants to be with him. The servants loved Isaac, so the servants might try to stop Abraham from doing what God had told him to do. Taking the wood from the hands of his servants, Abraham placed the wood on the shoulders of his son. He also took a knife and live coals for starting a fire. He was ready to do the terrible thing God had commanded him to do.SRme 1.284

The father and the son climbed together up the mountain.SRme 1.285

"Isaac spoke up, 'Father!'SRme 1.286

"Abraham answered, 'Yes, my son?'SRme 1.287

"Isaac asked, 'I see you have the coals and the wood, but where is the lamb for the sacrifice?'SRme 1.288

"Abraham answered, 'God Himself will provide one'" (Gen 22:7, 8).SRme 1.289

The loving, suffering father walked on firmly by the side of his son. When they reached the place that God had shown Abraham in his vision, Abraham built an altar. He put the wood on the altar preparing for the sacrifice. Then he told Isaac that God had commanded him to offer his son as a burnt offering. Abraham also told Isaac God had promised him several times that Abraham would become a great nation through Isaac. Abraham said he must do what God asked and kill Isaac as a sacrifice. Abraham said God still would fulfill His promise. God was able to raise Isaac from the dead.SRme 1.290