commands him to sacrifice that son through whom alone he could have any descendants 1 Was not this an apparent contradiction ? Nevertheless, Abraham’s faith in the word of the Lord was unshaken, and he doubted neither the goodness nor the faithfulness of God. He did not murmur and say: '‘How can God ask of me such a hard and unnatural sacrifice? How can His promises possibly be fulfilled, if my only son is slain r” No, on the contrary, he said to himself: “God is good, faithful and true: His promise will surely be fulfilled, though how, or in what way, I know not! God is almighty: He is able to raise up Isaac even from the dead” (Hebr. 11, 19). Abraham believed so firmly that he is called a man of faith, and the father of the faithful. His example ought to lead us to believe firmly in God’s word, and trust in His goodness and faithfulness, whatever our temptations and trials may be.
The love of God above all things. Abraham had a living faith, that is, he lived up to his faith, and consequently loved God above all things. His love of God had to stand a very severe test. He dearly loved the son whom God had given him, and the command which Almighty God gave him to sacrifice this son, was given to prove whether he loved God more than his son. Abraham, however, did not hesitate for an instant. He got up at once in the middle of the night, and made his preparations for the required sacrifice. He had interceded for the wicked cities, but he had no word to say for his son. He travelled along with the boy for three long days, and his heart must have sorely ached, as he looked upon Isaac and said to himself: “Very soon you will no longer be among the living, for you will have died by the hand of your own father!” However, his resolution never failed. He lifted up his heart to God and said: “Thou, O God, didst give me this son. Thou hast bidden me sacrifice him to Thee. So be it! Thy holy will be done! For love of Thee I will sacrifice him, however hard it be to me!” — Thus, during those three days’ journey he offered up his son a thousand times on the altar . of his heart, before he actually bound him and laid him as a victim upon the wood, and raised his hand to slay him. What great, what mighty love! Isaac was dearer to him than anything on earth, and on him he had set all his hopes; but he loved God more than he loved Isaac, and for love of Him he offered up his son. He proved that he loved God above all things.
The object of trials. Why did God try Abraham ? Was this trial necessary to show Him Abraham’s dispositions? Did He not know beforehand that Abraham’s faith was firm, and that he was quite ready to sacrifice his son for love of Him? Yes; God knew all this, because He is omniscient, and for Him, therefore, the test was not necessary: He need never prove men in order to discover their faith, obedience &c. Almighty God did not prove Abraham for His own sake but for Abraham’s, in order to give him the opportunity of practising his virtues of faith, love &c., and of thus increasing his merits, and drawing down
