Story 11 · Ages 7–12
Abraham and Isaac - The Ultimate Test
God tests Abraham's faith by asking him to sacrifice his son Isaac, then provides a ram.
Abraham and Sarah finally had a son when they were very old! They named him Isaac, which means "laughter," because Sarah laughed with joy when he was born! Abraham loved Isaac more than anything.
The story
Isaac grew up to be a wonderful boy. Then one day, God decided to test Abraham's faith in a very difficult way.
God said, "Abraham, take your son Isaac, whom you love, and go to Mount Moriah. There, sacrifice him as a burnt offering."
Abraham's heart must have been breaking! Sacrifice Isaac? The son he waited so long for? The son God had promised him? How could this be?
But Abraham had learned to trust God completely. Early the next morning, Abraham got up, chopped wood for the offering, and took Isaac and two servants on the journey.
After three days, they saw the mountain. Abraham told the servants, "Stay here. The boy and I will go worship, and then WE will come back to you." Notice Abraham said "we" - he believed God somehow would keep His promises!
Abraham gave Isaac the wood to carry. Abraham carried the fire and the knife. As they climbed the mountain, Isaac asked, "Father, we have fire and wood, but where is the lamb for the sacrifice?"
Abraham answered with faith, "God will provide the lamb, my son."
They reached the place. Abraham built an altar and arranged the wood. His hands must have been shaking as he tied up Isaac and placed him on the altar. Abraham raised the knife!
But suddenly - "Abraham! Abraham!"
An angel of the Lord called from heaven! "Don't hurt the boy! Now I know you truly fear God, because you didn't withhold your son from me!"
Abraham looked up - and there in a bush was a ram caught by its horns! God HAD provided! Abraham sacrificed the ram instead of Isaac.
Abraham named that place "The LORD Will Provide." And God blessed Abraham again, saying, "Because you obeyed me, all nations will be blessed through your offspring!"
Remember this
“And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.”
What did we learn?
This story points forward to Jesus! Just like Abraham was willing to give his son, God the Father DID give His Son Jesus to die for us. But there was no last-minute rescue for Jesus - He died so we could be saved! God provided the ultimate sacrifice for our sins!
Big idea: God is always with us and loves us very much!