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Offering of Isaac: Test of Faith
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his ears, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love.”
That command he must obey. Day was approaching, and he must be
on his journey.
Isaac lay sleeping the untroubled sleep of youth and innocence.
For a moment the father looked upon the dear face of his son, then
turned away trembling. He went to Sarah, who was also sleeping.
Should he awaken her? He longed to unburden his heart to her and
share with her this terrible responsibility, but he did not dare. Isaac
was her joy and pride; the mother’s love might refuse the sacrifice.
Three Sad Days
Abraham at last awakened his son, telling him of the command
to offer sacrifice on a distant mountain. Isaac had often gone with
his father to worship, and this brought no surprise. The wood was
made ready and put on the donkey, and with two servants they set
out.
Father and son journeyed in silence, Abraham pondering his
heavy secret. His thoughts were of the proud, adoring mother, and
the day when he would have to return to her alone. He knew that the
knife would pierce her heart when it took the life of her son.
That day—the longest Abraham had ever experienced—dragged
slowly to its close. He spent the night in prayer, still hoping that
some heavenly messenger might say that the youth could return
unharmed to his mother. But no relief came to his tortured soul.
Another long day, another night of humiliation and prayer. The
command to slay his son was ringing in his ears. Satan was near to
whisper doubts and unbelief, but Abraham resisted his suggestions.
As they were about to begin the journey of the third day, Abra-
ham saw the promised sign, a cloud of glory hovering over Mount
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Moriah—and he knew that the voice that had spoken to him was
from heaven.
Even now he did not complain against God. This son had been
given unexpectedly; didn’t the One who bestowed the precious gift
have a right to reclaim His own? Then faith repeated the promise,
“In Isaac your seed shall be called”—a seed numberless as the grains
of sand on the shore. Isaac was the child of a miracle, and couldn’t
the power that gave him life restore it? Abraham grasped the divine