Abraham’s Great Trial

"By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son. Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure." Hebrews 11:17-19

In Hebrews 5:8 we read that our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered.” And that which was true of our Redeemer, when he walked upon this earth as a man, is true of us. If we are the children of God, as long as we live in this body of flesh, we will be required to learn obedience. And we learn obedience by the things which we suffer by the hand of God’s wise and good providence.

The life of the believer is a series of trials, by which his faith is tested, proved, and strengthened. Character is developed by discipline. And God will develop the character of his saints. It appears that frequently there is one great trial of faith, for which all other trials seem to be preparatory. Certainly, that was the case with Abraham and the great trial of his faith described in these verses.

“By faith Abraham, when he was tried”—God’s will is the rule of justice and goodness, and whatever he requires is just and good. We dare not attempt to call the Almighty to our bar. He gives no account to us of his matters. His command to Abraham to offer up his son Isaac may be confusing to men. Men may use it to blaspheme his name; but the Lord our God is the Lord of life. He gives it, he preserves it, and he takes it as he will, by whatever means he pleases.

“Offered up Isaac.”—Abraham showed no reluctance. As soon as he had God’s command, he traveled three days’ journey to the place of sacrifice. He took the wood for the burnt offering, laid it on his son; took fire, and carried a knife in his hand to slay his son. He built an altar, laid the wood in order on it; and bound his son, laid him on the altar before the Lord, took the knife, and stretched forth his hand to slay his darling son. He fully intended to kill his only son upon the mount of sacrifice. In fact, God declares that he actually “offered up Isaac,” because in his heart the deed was done.

For this, he is held before us as a great example of faith. Had God not stopped him, Abraham would have killed his son by faith. He believed God. He trusted the equity, justice, and wisdom of his God and his God’s command. Believing God, he was fully assured of the truth and faithfulness of the Lord’s promises, no matter how his providence and commands might seem to contradict them. Moreover, Abraham was fully persuaded that God would, one way or another, fulfill his promises, raise Isaac from the dead, and save his people through that Savior who was to come through Isaac’s loins! This was great faith indeed! Being great faith, it was greatly tried.

“And he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son.”—

The Lord God promised Abraham that he would have a son, that a great multitude would be born of him, a people who would inherit the land of Canaan, a people who would inherit the earth. The promise of God to Abraham was that the Messiah himself, (the Woman’s Seed, the Christ, the Redeemer) would come into the world through Isaac! The Holy Spirit calls our attention to this fact specifically in verses 18-19.

“And he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son. Of whom it is said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called.” Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead!”

Commenting on these words, John Gill wrote, “Abraham did not go to the place of sacrifice without thought. Yet, he did not consult with flesh and blood. His reasoning was the reasoning of faith; and the conclusion of it was, that God was able to raise him from the dead. He knew that he had received him at first, as it were, from the dead; he sprung from his own dead body, and out of Sarah’s dead womb; and though his faith did not prescribe to God, yet he believed that God would raise his son from the dead, rather than that his promise should fail; and this conclusion proceeded upon the power and faithfulness of God.”

“From whence also he received him in a figure.”–Abraham received Isaac as one raised from the dead, in a figure, in a picture, for the purpose of teaching us about faith.