Test of Faith
125
The instruction given to Abraham touching the sacredness of the
marriage relation was to be a lesson for all ages. It declares that the
rights and happiness of this relation are to be carefully guarded, even
at a great sacrifice. Sarah was the only true wife of Abraham. Her
rights as a wife and mother no other person was entitled to share.
She reverenced her husband, and in this she is presented in the New
Testament as a worthy example. But she was unwilling that Abraham’s
affections should be given to another, and the Lord did not reprove
her for requiring the banishment of her rival. Both Abraham and
Sarah distrusted the power of God, and it was this error that led to the
marriage with Hagar.
God had called Abraham to be the father of the faithful, and his
life was to stand as an example of faith to succeeding generations.
But his faith had not been perfect. He had shown distrust of God in
concealing the fact that Sarah was his wife, and again in his marriage
with Hagar. That he might reach the highest standard, God subjected
him to another test, the closest which man was ever called to endure.
In a vision of the night he was directed to repair to the land of Moriah,
and there offer up his son as a burnt offering upon a mountain that
should be shown him.
At the time of receiving this command, Abraham had reached
the age of a hundred and twenty years. He was regarded as an old
man, even in his generation. In his earlier years he had been strong to
endure hardship and to brave danger, but now the ardor of his youth
had passed away. One in the vigor of manhood may with courage meet
difficulties and afflictions that would cause his heart to fail later in life,
when his feet are faltering toward the grave. But God had reserved His
last, most trying test for Abraham until the burden of years was heavy
upon him, and he longed for rest from anxiety and toil.
The patriarch was dwelling at Beersheba, surrounded by prosperity
and honor. He was very rich, and was honored as a mighty prince by
the rulers of the land. Thousands of sheep and cattle covered the plains
that spread out beyond his encampment. On every side were the tents
of his retainers, the home of hundreds of faithful servants. The son
of promise had grown up to manhood by his side. Heaven seemed to
have crowned with its blessing a life of sacrifice in patient endurance
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of hope deferred.