Sometime later God tests Abraham. It is not clear how much later, but Isaac is old enough to carry wood for a fire and carry on an intelligent conversation with his father. For the first time the verb (but not the idea) “test” occurs in the Bible. As early as chapter 12 God tested Abraham when he told him to leave Ur with his family, and Abraham went out not knowing “where he was going” (Heb. 11:8). As a matter of fact, Abraham’s life begins and ends, as far as divine speech goes, with two imperatives: “Leave.” “Take.” And just as he is told to leave three things in chapter 12, here in chapter 22 he is told to take (1) his son, (2) his only son, (3) Isaac whom he loves. Each expression becomes more intense.

Abraham and Isaac leave Beersheba and travel three days to Mount Moriah. There is on…