1 Abraham loved Isaac greatly, as his only son and the gift of God in his old age. Isaac returned his parents’ devotion, showing every virtue and honoring his mother and father while worshiping God fervently. Abraham found his chief happiness in the prospect of leaving Isaac in good condition after his own death. God, wanting to test Abraham’s devotion, appeared and reminded him of His many blessings: that He had given him victory over enemies and granted him Isaac, the principal joy of his life. God now asked for Isaac as a sacrifice, a holy offering, to show whether Abraham placed God’s command over the life of his child. 2 Abraham reasoned it was not right to disobey God in anything, recognizing that all living creatures held life by God’s grace. He therefore hid his intention from Sarah and all his servants, fearing they might prevent him from obeying God, and took Isaac and two servants, plus a donkey carrying the wood and other items needed for the sacrifice. After two days’ travel, on the third day, seeing Moriah in the distance, he left the servants in the valley and ascended the mountain with Isaac alone. (King David later built the Temple there.) Isaac was then twenty-five. As he gathered stones and wood for the altar, he asked his father where the animal to be sacrificed was. Abraham said God would provide, being able to bring forth abundance from where none existed and to take away from where there was abundance. 3 When the altar was prepared, Abraham said to Isaac, “My son, I long prayed for you. Once you were born, I worked tirelessly for your well-being and took joy in seeing you become a man, hoping to leave you as my heir. Yet, because it is God’s will—who made me your father—that I now give you to Him, accept this consecration with a noble spirit. I offer you not as an ordinary sacrifice, but to God, who deemed you worthy of avoiding death by illness or war. He calls you to Himself with prayers and sacred rites, so that you will assist me in my old age, coming to my aid with God’s favor, for whose honor you are offered.” Isaac, with equally generous resolve, answered that he would not oppose the will of God or his father. So he went willingly to the altar.⁠a 4 But just when Abraham raised the knife, God called his name and forbade him to harm the boy, clarifying He did not desire human blood nor intend to deprive Abraham of a beloved son, only to test his obedience. He promised to reward Abraham’s faith, giving him many more children and declaring Isaac would live a long and happy life, leaving a large heritage to his offspring. They would form many nations, giving their ancestors everlasting renown and inheriting Canaan, envied by all. A ram then appeared for the sacrifice. Reunited in surprise and relief, father and son, after sacrificing the ram, returned to Sarah to live out their days under God’s good favor.