Basic HTML Version
Offering of Isaac: Test of Faith
89
gave a new name to the sacred spot—“Jehovah-jireh”, meaning
“The-Lord-Will-Provide.”
The Promise to Abraham Repeated
On Mount Moriah, with a solemn oath, God again confirmed
the blessing to Abraham and to his descendants: “Because you
[67]
have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only
son—blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your
descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on
the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their
enemies. In your descendants all the nations of the earth shall be
blessed; because you have obeyed My voice.”
Abraham’s great act of faith stands like a pillar of light, illu-
minating the pathway of God’s servants in all the ages since then.
During that three days’ journey Abraham had enough time to reason
and to doubt God. He could have reasoned that killing his son would
cause him to be looked upon as a murderer, a second Cain; it would
cause his teaching to be rejected and despised, and thus destroy his
power to do good to others around him. He might have claimed that
age should excuse him from obedience, but he did not take refuge in
excuses. Abraham was human, his passions and attachments were
like ours, but he did not stop to reason with his aching heart. He
knew that God is just and righteous in all His requirements.
“Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righ-
teousness. And he was called the friend of God” (
James 2:23
). And
Paul says, “Only those who are of faith are the sons of Abraham”
(
Galatians 3:7
). But Abraham’s faith was made manifest by his
works. “Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he
offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see how faith was work-
ing together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?”
(
James 2:21, 22
).
Many fail to understand the relationship between faith and works.
They say, “Only believe in Christ, and you are safe; it has nothing to
do with keeping the law.” But genuine faith will be demonstrated by
obedience. The Lord declares concerning the father of the faithful,
“Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My command-
ments, My statutes, and My laws” (
Genesis 26:5
). Says the apostle