“stay here with the donkey,” Abraham told the servants. “The boy

And I will travel a little farther. We will worship there, and then we will come right back.”

Genesis 22:5 NLT

Did Abraham know? Did Isaac hear what his dad said? Abraham and Sarah were beyond the childbearing age. God had promised Abraham a son through Sarah. He told Abraham to name him Isaac. He was the son through which the promise of becoming a great and mighty nation would come. Isaac is now a child and God comes to him and asks him to sacrifice his son.

Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much---and go to the land of

Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.

Genesis 22:2 NLT

Abraham wouldn’t have been able to reconcile the fact that God had made a covenant with him that would come through Isaac and what he was asking him to now do. Even though it didn’t make sense, Abraham obeyed. He left the outcome to God. And he had faith that somehow God would still keep His promise. He told his servants they would both come back from the mountain.

We haven’t been asked to sacrifice our child or grandchild, but we are asked to trust God with them. Our faith is being tested and God is asking us to have faith that He will do what He has promised. Even when we can’t see how or it seems almost impossible, we can look at the situation and declare “Our God is bigger” He will make a way.

Abraham took Isaac to the mountain and was fully prepared to sacrifice him, when God intervened. He had no intention of letting Abraham sacrifice Isaac, but he was testing his faith. God provided a lamb for the sacrifice. Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh, the Lord will provide.

“On the mountain of the Lord, it will be provided.”

Genesis 22:14 NLT

Thank You God, that You are Yahweh-Yireh, the One who provides. You provide a way for our children to return, for the lost to be found, and for our every need. You give us strength and rest; comfort and joy; peace and satisfaction. You provide eyes to see and ears to hear. On Your mountain, it will be provided. You ask that we remain faithful in this time of testing. You ask us to pray and not give up. You will reward our faithfulness like you did for Abraham.

This is what the Lord says; Because you have obeyed me and not

withheld your son, your only son, I swear by my own name that I will

certainly bless you…all because you have obeyed me.

Genesis 22:17-18 NLT

The Lord rewards every man for his righteousness and faithfulness.

1 Samuel 26:23 NIV

The testing of our faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish it’s work so that you will be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 1:3-4 NIV