(NIV) Hebrews 11:17-19 “By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice.  He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, 18even though God had said to him, ‘It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.’ 19Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.”

To paraphrase these verses…
(NASB) Genesis 22:1-10 God tested Abraham by calling him to take his only son who would inherit God’s promises to a distant mountain.  God told him to offer Isaac as a burnt offering on Mount Moriah.  How did Abraham respond?  As he thought about God’s plans, he knew that God had the power to raise the dead to life.  His faith was in God to do just that with Isaac.

Abraham left the next morning with Isaac and two servants…they traveled for three days.  They took with them wood for the altar.  When they reached the place, the servants were left with the donkey and supplies.  Isaac carried the wood and Abraham carried the knife and fire for the altar.

Teen-ager Isaac asked a valid question…“where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”  Abraham replied, “God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.”  They reached the place to worship God…an altar was built, the wood laid on the altar, then Abraham bound his son Isaac and laid him on the wood.  As he raised the knife…“the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, ‘Abraham, Abraham!’  Abraham responded immediately and stopped his action when he said, ‘Here I am.’

Abraham then was told not to kill Isaac since by his actions he proved that God was the most important Person to him.
A ram was caught in a thicket by its horns, and Abraham used that ram as the burnt offering.

Abraham’s faith was in the living God and His words.  His faith was in God’s promises and God’s ability.  He also had “listening” faith…ready to respond to God’s voice and instructions.

Abraham’s faith was not in his own actions.  Abraham did not know how God would give Isaac back to him…he thought that God would raise Isaac from death…for Abraham believed God had that kind of power.

In what is your faith?  Is it in the living God…period?

Take it to heart ~

(NASB) Romans 10:17 “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”

Listen!  Carefully!
How are you responding by faith to God’s words in the Holy Bible?