In the ancient land of Canaan, there lived a man named Abraham, who was deeply devoted to God. One day, God tested Abraham’s faith in a way that seemed unimaginable. He asked Abraham to take his beloved son, Isaac, to the land of Moriah and offer him as a sacrifice on a mountain that God would show him.
Abraham’s heart was heavy, but he trusted God completely. He set out early in the morning with Isaac and two servants, carrying wood for the offering. As they journeyed, Isaac looked up and asked, “Father, here is the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Abraham replied with unwavering faith, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.”
When they reached the mountain, Abraham built an altar and arranged the wood. He bound Isaac and laid him on the altar. With a trembling hand, he raised the knife to obey God’s command. At that very moment, the angel of the Lord called out from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” Abraham answered, “Here I am.” The angel said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.”
Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. He took the ram and offered it as a sacrifice instead of Isaac. God had provided a substitute, just as Abraham had said. This event showed that Abraham’s faith was stronger than any earthly bond, and God blessed him for his unwavering trust.