Dearbhadh Mòr Abraham

At such an advanced stage of life it might seem that Abraham's biggest tests were behind him. Not so! Abraham must now face his greatest test - the offering of Isaac.

He had a double difficulty in this. On the natural, paternal level he was being commanded to end the life of his only son by Sarah, a son he had waited many years for. On the spiritual level, Isaac was the son of promise, the one in whom was set the future people of God. How could God fulfil his promise if Isaac died without an heir?

Abraham rose to the task and passed the test by faith. After the test was over his naming of the place encapsulated the drama and triumph of the event - "the Lord will provide", or "the Lord will see to it."