Isaac was born in chapter 21, when Abraham was 100 years old. Hagar and Ishmael, the Egyptian servant and her son by Abraham (at Sarah’s prompting) were sent away.   Years went by, and God came to Abraham and asked him to give up, as a burnt offering, this miracle son through whom He had promised to bless the world.

Early the next morning, the party set out for Moriah – Abraham, beloved Isaac, two servants, and supplies for a burnt offering.  On the third day, Isaac and his father are walking up the mountain, the servants have been left behind.  Isaac, carrying wood, asks: “Where is the lamb?”.  Abraham answered, “God will provide”.  They reach the place, assemble the altar, then Abraham does a very unusual thing – he binds his own son, puts him on the altar, and raises the knife to strike.

Remember – Isaac is a young man, or a grown boy – he is strong enough to carry enough wood to burn a lamb.  His father is 100 plus years old.  Yet these two offer no struggle, Abraham trusting God, and Isaac trusting Abraham.

In that very moment, on the fatal edge, Abraham hears from God.  He has given more honor to the God he serves and trusts than to his own flesh, and believed God’s word more than his own logic.  God said “Now, I know,  because you have not withheld your only son from Me.”  As Abraham looks up, he finds a ram caught in a bush, and sacrifices that animal to the God who Provides.

God restates the promise He had made long ago, in chapter 15.  This time, He adds “because you have obeyed, I will bless you”.  There will be countless descendants, and all nations on the earth will be blessed through them.

God will check your priorities, and ask you to confront whether you are committed to Him or to His gifts.  Being God, He knows already, but He will set up opportunities for us to see the truth for ourselves.