Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, "Father?"
"Yes, my son?" Abraham replied.
"The fire and wood are here," Isaac said, "but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?"
As far as he knew, Abraham was following the command of God. He was to take his son, Isaac -- his only son -- and sacrifice him on the mountain. He hadn’t told his son all of the details -- but, Isaac was a bright boy…
Can you imagine what had gone through Isaac’s mind? He knew he and his father were on a hike to build an altar for a burnt offering. And, he knew what was involved. They had the bundle of wood -- the lit torch for the fire -- and a knife -- but, where was the lamb? All his father said was, “God will provide the lamb.”
What went through Abraham’s mind? This son that God had given him in his old age, and out of season -- his only son -- was now to be taken from him -- and by his own hands!
Abraham’s faith had to fight against his paternal desires; it was not natural for a man to take the life of his own son. But -- God, Himself had required it.
And then, there they were -- the wood was arranged, Isaac was bound up, and laid on the alter. Abraham fought his every desire to stop, and forced himself to hold the knife . . .
As he drew back his arm, he heard . . . . “Abraham! Abraham!”
Abraham’s heart raced as he looked for the source of the voice, and he heard the angel say, “Do not lay a hand on the boy.” -- It had been a test!
“Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” Then, Abraham saw a ram caught by its horns in the thicket.
We might find ourselves asking how could God have asked a father to willingly allow his son -- his only son --to be killed?
It wasn’t easy -- but at least with Abraham, He could provide a substitute.
But for God? His Son -- was the Lamb!
1 Peter 1:17-18: For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
John 3:16: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
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