99 years old, God promised him and his wife Sarah, who was 89, a son.
Although they were very old, God’s promise came true, and Sarah gave birth to
Isaac a year later.
As Isaac grew into a young boy, God tested Abraham’s faith. He commanded
Abraham to take Isaac to the mountain and offer him as a burnt sacrifice.
Although Abraham must have been very sad, he obeyed God because he had
faith that God would somehow provide a way out. Abraham believed God
could even raise Isaac from the dead if necessary.
With a heavy heart, Abraham took Isaac to the mountain. Isaac carried the
wood for the sacrifice, not knowing that he was to be the sacrifice. When they
arrived, Abraham built an altar, tied up Isaac, and prepared to sacrifice his
beloved son. At the last moment, the angel of the Lord appeared, saying, “Do
not harm the boy. Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God,
because you did not hold back from me your son, your only son”.
Just then God provided a ram caught in a bush to be sacrificed instead of Isaac.
This act led Abraham to name the place Jehovah-Jireh, which means “The Lord
Will Provide” i.e. God will provide in our greatest times of need.
The narrative of Abraham and Isaac is more than a test of faith. Another
message from this incident is that just as Abraham did not hold back his only
son, God too did not hold back His only Son, Jesus Christ, who was sacrificed so
that all of us can be saved and can have eternal life.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uof6QNKfooA