After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Take 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.” So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.” And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together. And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together. (Genesis 22:1-8 ESV)
God was calling on Abraham to do the unthinkable - sacrifice His son. On one hand, we see Abraham knew God well enough to know God would provide the sacrifice, and that he AND Isaac would be returning to the others. On the other hand, he makes every preparation EXCEPT bringing the actual sacrifice with them. Whether it is facing an enormous trial or struggle, or gearing up for God to do something big (like begin a great people promised to Abraham), we must be prepared to sacrifice, even what is most important to us, as a demonstration of faith in our Sovereign Lord. We have no idea how it will all play out, but ultimately it will bring Him glory.
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