The Father

It was a most fearful task. Painful. Heart-wrenching. Disgusting. Cruel. Only one other father would have to bear the command. Yet Abraham knew that voice so distinctly. It was God, yet how could it be?

Agony. Confusion. Frustration. Doubt.

All clouded the aged father's mind. What about the promise- the promise that through his son should come a nation so great that they would be numbered as the stars of the sky? Why had God changed?

The Bible records  none of the heart-struggle that he must have born- only the command and the action. "And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took his young men with him, and Isaac his son and went up unto the place of which God had told Him." Gen. 22:3

Tears must have flowed down the old man's cheeks as he bound his pride, his joy, his dearest treasure on earth. His hand must have trembled as he held the knife to kill his son. This was for real- no dream, no fable.

The Bible details none of his emotions, none of his thoughts - only an overwhelming faith and obedience, faith that not even the greatest earthly human tie could quench, a faithfulness that nothing could sever.

Then comes the voice. "Abraham, Abraham, lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do anything to him: for I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me." verses 11-12

Joy.

Promise.

Faith rarely demonstrated. Calling never so great. Principle forever the same.


It was a demonstration of surrender so complete.


Also, a demonstration never before matched of the other Father. A Father whose love for His Son was so great it was divine, yet who was willing to surrender Him..."For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish but have everlasting life".