Offering of Isaac: Test of Faith
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The Promise to Abraham Repeated
On Mount Moriah God again confirmed with solemn oath the
blessing to Abraham and to his seed: “Because thou hast done this
thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: ... in blessing I
will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars
of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the seashore; and thy
seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; and in thy seed shall all the
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nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed My voice.”
Abraham’s great act of faith stands like a pillar of light, illuminating
the pathway of God’s servants in all succeeding ages. During that three
days’ journey Abraham had sufficient time to reason and to doubt God.
He might have reasoned that the slaying of 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 his fellowmen. He might have pleaded that age should excuse
him from obedience. But the patriarch did not take refuge in excuses.
Abraham was human; his passions and attachments were like ours; but
he did not stay to reason with his aching heart. He knew that God is
just and righteous in all His requirements.
“Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righ-
teousness: and he was called the Friend of God.”
James 2:23
. And Paul
says, “They which are of faith, the same are the children 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 had offered
Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his
works, and by works was faith made perfect?”
James 2:21, 22
.
Many fail to understand the relation of faith and works. They
say, “Only believe in Christ, and you are safe. You have nothing
to do with keeping the law.” But genuine faith will be manifest in
obedience. Concerning the father of the faithful the Lord declares,
“Abraham obeyed My voice, and kept My charge, My commandments,
My statutes, and My laws.”
Genesis 26:5
. Says the apostle James,
“Faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”
James 2:17
. And
John, who dwells so fully upon love, tells us, “This is the love of God,
that we keep His commandments.”
1 John 5:3
.
God “preached before the gospel unto Abraham.”
Galatians 3:8
.
And the patriarch’s faith was fixed upon the Redeemer to come. Said