After years of waiting and trusting in God’s promise, Abraham and Sarah were finally blessed with a son—Isaac, the child of promise. He was the answer to their prayers, the hope of a future nation, and the living reminder that nothing is impossible with God.
But then came a test that would stretch Abraham’s faith to its absolute limit.
One day, God spoke to Abraham:
“Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”
The command was almost unthinkable. Isaac wasn’t just any child—he was the miracle, the heir, the one through whom God had said, “Your descendants will be as numerous as the stars.” And yet, Abraham obeyed. Early the next morning, he saddled his donkey, took two servants, and brought Isaac along with wood for the offering.
After three days of travel, Abraham saw the place from a distance. He told his servants to stay behind, saying something remarkable:
“Stay here… we will worship and then we will come back to you.”
Abraham believed—somehow—that God would still keep His promise.
As father and son climbed the mountain together, Isaac carried the wood. He asked,
“Father… the fire and wood are here, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”
Abraham replied with words that echoed through history:
“God Himself will provide the lamb.”
When they reached the place, Abraham built the altar, arranged the wood, bound his son Isaac, and laid him on top. He raised the knife, ready to obey the unthinkable.
But at that moment, the angel of the Lord called out:
“Abraham! Abraham! Do not lay a hand on the boy.”
God had seen Abraham’s heart—his trust, his obedience, his fear of the Lord.
Then Abraham looked up—and there in a thicket was a ram caught by its horns. God had indeed provided a sacrifice. Abraham offered the ram instead of his son, and he named the place Yahweh-Yireh—“The Lord Will Provide.”
God reaffirmed His covenant, saying:
“Because you have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you… and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed.”
This story foreshadows another Father who would offer His only Son—but this time, there would be no substitute. Jesus, the Lamb of God, would give His life for the sins of the world. Abraham and Isaac’s story points us to Calvary, where God’s love and provision were fully revealed.