What is the most valuable gift God has given you? Are you willing to surrender that gift back to God? This is tough! But this is the exact test that Abraham had to walk though. After waiting for years, he finally had his promised son. But the next thing we know, God is asking Abraham to give Isaac up! How could this be? Really it doesn't make sense to the natural human mind. Why would God give a gift just to take it back? Why would God ask Abraham to sacrifice his son....the promised seed that he had waited so many years to have?
I love the following commentary on the story from the book Patriarchs and Prophets:
"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 of hope deferred.
In the obedience of faith, Abraham had forsaken his native country—had turned away from the graves of his fathers and the home of his kindred. He had wandered as a stranger in the land of his inheritance. He had waited long for the birth of the promised heir. At the command of God he had sent away his son Ishmael. And now, when the child so long desired was entering upon manhood, and the patriarch seemed able to discern the fruition of his hopes, a trial greater than all others was before him." (pp. 147-148)
Abraham could have easily reasoned himself out of obedience... but he knew the voice of God. He did not doubt that the one who had led him thus far would continue to lead. And if He [God] was asking for Isaac, Abraham trusted that God would work a miracle in raising him from the dead.
As I close today's highlight -- let's ask ourselves, "Will we lay our Isaac down?"
I want to share a closing thought by Chris Holland about this great test of faith for Abraham. His words are are followed by the song: "I lay my Isaac Down." Beautiful!
Tomorrow's reading: Gen. 24-25 and Matthew 9
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