He lay in his bed totally wide awake. Sleep would not come again. After a period of tossing and turning, he got up and went outside the tent. The expanse of stars that usually brought him such joy because of God’s promise seemed a bit dimmer this night. And why shouldn’t they? The stars were symbolic of a future nation with him at its head, and yet that dream seemed impossible now.
The word of the Lord had come to him several hours ago. He knew that it was the Lord. The two of them had spoken so often over the years that he would recognize God’s voice anywhere.
“Then He [the Lord] said, ‘Take now 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.’” Genesis 22:2
As Abraham remembered these words – words that he would never forget – he glanced over at Sarah’s tent. How could he possibly tell Isaac’s mother that she was going to lose her first and only child? He decided he would deal with that later.
What he couldn’t deal with later was God’s command. He loved the Lord with all his heart, and if God wanted him to sacrifice Isaac, he would. As difficult as this command was, he knew that God would make it right somehow. With a sorrowful heart, he turned to obey.
Abraham quietly awakened the servants explaining he had urgent business to attend to and would be gone for about a week. He cautioned them to work silently so as not to awaken the rest of the camp. When all was ready, he slowly walked to Isaac’s tent. He stopped in the doorway to watch his son sleep for a few moments longer. The long awaited son of promise. What would happen to the promise now?
He gently shook Isaac awake and told him to get dressed quickly and quietly. They were leaving on a journey and would be gone several days. Still half asleep, Isaac got dressed and gathered a few things the would need for the journey and groggily walked to the camel caravan.
“What about mother?” he asked. Abraham took a deep breath and answered, “She’s still asleep. She won’t be journeying with us. Let’s leave her to her rest.”
Satisfied, Isaac climbed onto the camel and settled in for the journey.
Abraham, though, was not satisfied. His heart was in turmoil. For the next three days Abraham kept praying to God asking for an alternative. No answer from heaven.
“Then on the third day Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place afar off. And Abraham said to his young men, ‘Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you.’” Genesis 22:4-5
Abraham paused. Why on earth had he said “we will come back to you”? The whole purpose of his going was to sacrifice Isaac. Isaac would not be coming back. And yet he had said “we.” How strange.
“So Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife, and the two of them went together. But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, 'My father' And he said, “Here I am, my son.' Then he said, 'Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?’” Genesis 22:6-7
So, Isaac had noticed. He was a smart boy. Of course he had noticed. Abraham knew he had to explain all this to Isaac, but he couldn’t, not yet.
“And Abraham said, ‘My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.’ So the two of them went together.” Genesis 22:8
When they reached the spot designated by God as the place of sacrifice, Abraham told Isaac the real reason they had come. Abraham knew that his son was much stronger than he, and if Isaac had wanted to, he could simply rush past Abraham, run away, and save his life. But Isaac stayed. He wanted to be obedient to the Lord too.
Together Abraham and Isaac built the altar. They laid the wood on the altar, and Abraham bound Isaac. Isaac didn’t want to run away, and being bound help to ensure that he wouldn’t. Gently, Abraham lifted his son and placed him on the altar. They exchanged tearful words of endearment and farewell. Abraham closed his eyes and lifted the knife.
“But the Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, ‘Abraham, Abraham!’ So he said, ‘Here I am.’ And He said, ‘Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.’” Genesis 22:11-12
Abraham had passed the test. How do we know it was a test? The story starts in Genesis 22:1 with these words, “Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham.”
Why did God test him? The answer is in Genesis 22:12: God said, “'for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.’”
Abraham had waited a long time for the son of promise. There was a danger that the fulfillment of the gift would take a higher place in Abraham’s heart than the Giver would. That’s why the word of the Lord came to Abraham that night.
“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
Is there something in your heart that is taking a higher place of honor and regard than Jesus Christ is? Has God’s Word been testing you to see if you can put aside all that could become an idol to you? Will you let the power of the Word break you free so that you, too, can pass the test?
"Thus says God the Lord, . . . I will . . . bring out prisoners from the prison, Those who sit in darkness from the prison house.” Isaiah 42:5-7
This is why Binding Broken Hearts is passionate about getting God’s Word into prisons and into the hands of inmates who so desperately need the power of God to break them free from the idols that hold them. Because these are men and women who need Jesus most.
Perhaps you want to help spread the power of His Word to an inmate who desperately needs its power. If so, please consider becoming a financial partner with us. Click here to see how you can help.