Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” (vv.1-2)
This command of God was not so much a test to produce faith, as it was a test to reveal faith. God had built Abraham slowly, piece by piece, year by year, into a man of faith. This test would reveal the depth of that faith God had built into Abraham. One cannot imagine a greater test of a man’s faith than this.
Abraham’s response to God’s call was simply, “Here I am.” Meaning, he was ready to obey, to surrender to God’s call even before he knew what would be requested of him. God’s call to, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac,” is significant here because Abraham had another son, Ishmael. Since Ishmael was put away from Abraham’s family (Genesis 21:8-14), as far as God’s covenant was concerned, Abraham had only one son, Isaac.
Then God told Abraham to, “take Isaac to the land of Moriah and, offer him as a burnt offering.” This was not an offering that was to be burned alive, but one where the life first taken by sacrifice and then the body completely burnt before the LORD.
This test was difficult in yet another aspect, because it seemed to contradict the previous promise of God. God had already promised, “in Isaac your seed shall be called” (Genesis 21:12). It seemed strange and contradictory to kill the son who was promised to carry on the covenant when it had not yet been fulfilled in him. It seemed as if God commanded Abraham to kill the very promise God made to him. However, Abraham had to learn the difference between trusting the promise and trusting the Promiser. Trust the Promiser no matter what, and the promise will be taken care of.
As we see in verse 3, Abraham immediately responded in faith. He rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, took two of his young men with him, along with Isaac and the wood needed for the burnt offering (v.3). Abraham’s obedience showed that he trusted God even when he did not understand, or feel like it. In the remainder of the story Abraham journeys to the place of sacrifice with Isaac (vv.4-8). Isaac willing laid down on the alter built by his father (v.9), but God mercifully called to Abraham to stay his hand and Isaac was spared (vv.10-11).
Abraham displayed his heart towards God in that he was willing to give up his only son. So God also displayed His heart towards us in the same way, by giving His only begotten Son that we too might be saved. (John 3:16).
The Truth: “For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16).
