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hundred and twenty years。 He was regarded as an old man； even in his
generation。 In his earlier years he had been strong to endure hardship and
to brave danger； but now the ardor of his youth had passed away。 One in the
vigor of manhood may with courage meet difficulties and afflictions that
would cause his heart to fail later in life； when his feet are faltering
toward the grave。 But God had reserved His last； most trying test for
Abraham until the burden of years was heavy upon him； and he longed for rest
from anxiety and toil。
The patriarch was dwelling at Beersheba； surrounded by prosperity and honor。
He was very rich； and was honored as a mighty prince by the rulers of the
land。 Thousands of sheep and cattle covered the plains that spread out
beyond his encampment。 On every side were the tents of his retainers； the
home of hundreds of faithful servants。 The son of promise had grown up to
manhood by his side。 Heaven seemed to have crowned with its
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blessing a life of sacrifice in patient endurance of hope deferred。
In the obedience of faith； Abraham had forsaken his native countryhad
turned away from the graves of his fathers and the home of his kindred。 He
had wandered as a stranger in the land of his inheritance。 He had waited
long for the birth of the promised heir。 At the command of God he had sent
away his son Ishmael。 And now； when the child so long desired was entering
upon manhood； and the patriarch seemed able to discern the fruition of his
hopes； a trial greater than all others was before him。
The command was expressed in words that must have wrung with anguish that
father's heart： 〃Take now thy son； thine only son Isaac； whom thou lovest； 。
。 。 and offer him there for a burnt offering。〃 Isaac was the light of his
home； the solace of his old age； above all else the inheritor of the
promised blessing。 The loss of such a son by accident or disease would have
been heart rending to the fond father； it would have bowed down his whitened
head with grief； but he was commanded to shed the blood of that son with his
own hand。 It seemed to him a fearful impossibility。
Satan was at hand to suggest that he must be deceived； for the divine law
commands； 〃Thou shalt not kill；〃 and God would not require what He had once
forbidden。 Going outside his tent； Abraham looked up to the calm brightness
of the unclouded heavens； and recalled the promise made nearly fifty years
before； that his seed should be innumerable as the stars。 If this promise
was to be fulfilled through Isaac； how could he be put to death？ Abraham was
tempted to believe that he might be under a delusion。 In his doubt and
anguish he bowed upon the earth； and prayed； as he had never prayed before；
for some confirmation of the command if he must perform this terrible duty。
He remembered the angels sent to reveal to him God's purpose to destroy
Sodom； and who bore to him the promise of this same son Isaac； and he went
to the place where he had several times met the heavenly messengers； hoping
to meet them again； and receive some further direction； but none came to his
relief。 Darkness seemed to shut him in； but the command of God was sounding
in his ears； 〃Take now thy son； thine only son Isaac； whom thou lovest。〃
That command must be obeyed； and he dared not delay。 Day was approaching；
and he must be on his journey。
Returning to his tent； he went to the place where Isaac lay sleeping the
deep； untroubled sleep of youth and innocence。 For
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a moment the father looked upon the dear face of his son； then turned
tremblingly away。 He went to the side of Sarah； who was also sleeping。
Should he awaken her； that she might once more embrace her child？ Should he
tell her of God's requirement？ He longed to unburden his heart to her； and
share with her this terrible responsibility； but he was restrained by the
fear that she might hinder him。 Isaac was her joy and pride； her life was
bound up in him； and the mother's love might refuse the sacrifice。
Abraham at last summoned his son； telling him of the command to offer
sacrifice upon a distant mountain。 Isaac had often gone with his father to
worship at some one of the various altars that marked his wanderings； and
this summons excited no surprise。 The preparations for the journey were
quickly completed。 The wood was made ready and put upon the ass； and with
two menservants they set forth。
Side by side the father and the son journeyed in silence。 The patriarch；
pondering his heavy secret； had no heart for words。 His thoughts were of the
proud； fond mother； and the day when he should return to her alone。 Well he
knew that the knife would pierce her heart when it took the life of her son。
That daythe longest that Abraham had ever experienced dragged slowly to
its close。 While his son and the young men were sleeping； he spent the night
in prayer； still hoping that some heavenly messenger might come to say that
the trial was enough； that the youth might return unharmed to his mother。
But no relief came to his tortured soul。 Another long day； another night of
humiliation and prayer； while ever the command that was to leave him
childless was ringing in his ears。 Satan was near to whisper doubts and
unbelief； but Abraham resisted his suggestions。 As they were about to begin
the journey of the third day； the patriarch； looking northward； saw the
promised sign； a cloud of glory hovering over Mount Moriah； and he knew that
the voice which had spoken to him was from heaven。
Even now he did not murmur against God； but strengthened his soul by
dwelling upon the evidences of the Lord's goodness and faithfulness。 This
son had been unexpectedly given； and had not He who bestowed the precious
gift a right to recall His own？ Then faith repeated the promise； 〃In Isaac
shall they seed be called〃a seed numberless as the grains of sand upon the
shore。 Isaac was the child of a miracle； and could not the power that
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gave him life restore it？ Looking beyond that which was seen； Abraham
grasped the divine word； 〃accounting that God was able to raise him up； even
from the dead。〃 Hebrews 11：19。
Yet none but God could understand how great was the father's sacrifice in
yielding up his son to death； Abraham desired that none but God should
witness the parting scene。 He bade his servants remain behind； saying； 〃I
and the lad will go yonder and worship； and come again to you。〃 The wood was
laid upon Isaac； the one to be offered； the father took the knife and the
fire； and together they ascended toward the mountain summit； the young man
silently wondering whence； so far from folds and flocks； the offering was to
come。 At last he spoke； 〃My father；〃 〃behold the fire and the wood： but
where is the lamb for a burnt offering？〃 Oh； what a test was this！ How the
endearing words； 〃my father；〃 pierced Abraham's heart！ Not yethe could not
tell him now 。 〃My son；〃 he said； 〃God will provide Himself a lamb for a
burnt offering。〃
At the appointed place they built the altar and laid the wood upon it。 Then；
with trembling voice； Abraham unfolded to his son the divine mes