BASED ON A WRITING BY GEORGE WHITEFIELD (c. 1750)

Genesis 22:12 says, “Do not lay a hand on the boy or do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld your only son from me.”

The Apostle Paul tells us that everything written in the past was for our learning, so that through the scriptures we might have hope. Since faith is essential to please God, the examples of strong faith in the Bible were meant for our guidance. That’s why Hebrews 11 highlights the faith of Old Testament saints, encouraging us to follow their example. Abraham, called the “friend of God” and the “father of the faithful,” stands out among them. He faced many trials, but the hardest was God’s command to offer his only son, Isaac, as a sacrifice. This is the story we reflect on today.

The Bible says God “tested” Abraham, though this doesn’t mean God tempted him to do wrong, as James tells us God never tempts anyone to sin. Instead, God tested Abraham’s faith, just as he sometimes tests ours to strengthen our trust in Him. When God called Abraham, he responded without hesitation, ready to obey, showing the close relationship between God and those who trust in Him.

God commanded Abraham to take Isaac, his beloved and only son, and offer him as a sacrifice. Abraham could have questioned the command, reasoning that it went against natural love for his child and God’s promise of descendants through Isaac. Yet, Abraham obeyed without delay, trusting that God could even raise Isaac from the dead. His faith was so strong that he believed God’s promises despite the command seeming impossible to understand.

This teaches us that true faith trusts God’s word, even when it doesn’t align with human reason. Like Abraham, we must believe in God’s promises, even when they seem beyond our understanding. Where reason fails, faith begins.

Let’s look again at Abraham’s story. God commands him to sacrifice his son Isaac, yet Abraham does not object or question God. Instead, we are told he rises early, gathers what is needed, and begins the journey to the place God had shown him. The fact that Abraham rose early suggests God spoke to him during the night. Perhaps it was right before dawn that God said, “Take your son.”

Despite how difficult this command must have been, Abraham obeys, showing deep humility and faith. He saddles his own donkey and keeps the sacrifice a secret from everyone, including his wife Sarah, knowing she might try to intervene. After three days of walking, Abraham spots the place where he is to offer Isaac. Although he must have struggled internally, Abraham shows no hesitation. When Isaac asks about the missing lamb for the sacrifice, Abraham replies that God will provide, though he knows Isaac is to be the offering.

Isaac, unaware of the full plan, carries the wood for the sacrifice, unknowingly carrying the very instrument of his own death. Abraham binds Isaac and places him on the altar. Just as he lifts the knife to sacrifice his son, an angel stops him, saying, “Do not lay a hand on the boy.” Abraham’s faith had been proven, and God provides a ram to sacrifice instead. Abraham’s obedience is rewarded with a renewed promise that through his offspring, all nations will be blessed.

This story prefigures the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the true Lamb of God. Just as Abraham was willing to give up his only son, God actually gave His only Son for our salvation. While Isaac was spared, Jesus was not, and He bore the weight of our sins on the cross.

The lesson here is that faith in God requires trust, even when His commands seem impossible. Like Abraham, we are called to obey without hesitation, believing that God will provide in His time. Abraham’s faith was shown through his actions, and so must ours be—faith without works is dead. True faith changes our hearts and leads to a life of obedience and love for God.

Let this story remind us to hold loosely to worldly things and to be ready to surrender everything to God, just as Abraham did with Isaac.