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The Beginning of the End
word, “concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the
dead” (
Hebrews 11:19
).
Yet none but God could understand how great was the father’s
sacrifice in yielding up his son to death, and Abraham desired that
none but God should witness the parting scene. He told his servants
to remain behind, saying, “The lad and I will go yonder and worship,
and we will come back to you.”
The wood was laid upon Isaac, the father took a knife and the
fire, and together they started up toward the mountain summit. The
young man at last spoke, “My father, ... look, the fire and the wood,
but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?”
What a test this was! How the endearing words, “my father,”
pierced Abraham’s heart! Not yet—he could not tell him now. “My
son,” he said, “God will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering.”
At the appointed place they built the altar and laid the wood
upon it. Then, with trembling voice, Abraham told Isaac the divine
message.
Trained to Obey
With terror and amazement Isaac learned his fate, but he offered
no resistance. He could have escaped if he had chosen—the old
man, exhausted with the struggle of those three terrible days, could
not have opposed the will of the vigorous youth. But Isaac had been
trained from childhood to give ready obedience, and as the purpose
of God was opened to him, he yielded a willing submission. He
shared in Abraham’s faith, and he felt honored in being called to
give his life as an offering to God.
And now the last words of love were spoken, the last tears shed,
the last embrace given. The father lifted the knife. Suddenly an
angel of God called from heaven, “Abraham, Abraham!” He quickly
answered, “Here I am.” Again the voice was heard: “Do not lay your
hand on the lad, 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.”
Then Abraham saw “a ram caught in a thicket,” and quickly he
offered it “instead of his son.” In his joy and gratitude, Abraham