“There lies at the back of every creed something terrible and hard for which the worshiper may one day be required to suffer.” – E.M. Forster

“There lies at the back of every creed something terrible and hard for which the worshiper may one day be required to suffer.” – E.M. Forster

How far would you be willing to go in order to prove your faith in God? Today’s reading from Hebrews provides us with might possibly be the ultimate example of a faith that was “tested,” as well as what is likely the most pivotal moment of Abraham’s life: “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac…” (Heb. 11:17).

Because of this story’s importance within Judaism, it has been given its own title: The Akedah. In Hebrew, akedah means “to bind” or “the binding,” and of course refers to Isaac who was bound and placed on the altar of burnt offering by his father. Yet to Christians, this event is also important because it is an archetype, which prefigures and foreshadows God’s willingness to sacrifice His Own Son, Jesus Christ, upon the Cross.

As the story unfolds, God calls to Abraham and asks him to sacrifice his son Isaac, saying, “Take your only son Isaac whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains” (Gen. 22:2). One can only imagine the agony Abraham must have felt at hearing these words, especially since he and Sarah were barren for so long. Therefore, it was with a heavy heart and great trepidation that Abraham takes up Isaac and embarks upon this dreaded journey. Despite Abraham’s love for his son, he is obedient to God. And goes to the place he is directed, prepares an altar of sacrifice, kindles a fire, and binds his son for this ultimate test of trust.

However, just as Abraham was about to make the supreme sacrifice, an angel of the Lord intervened. Abraham had pleased God by his willingness to sacrifice his son and had passed this test of faith! He proved himself obedient and unwavering in his commitment and loyalty to God, thus making him truly worthy of being the “father of many nations.”

Meditating upon this account we must ask ourselves, could we pass such an awesome test of faith? Is our love for God capable of matching the test Abraham was given? Because loving God not only entails putting our trust in Him but being ready to do whatever God requires us to do: no matter the cost, no matter the consequences. This, then, is what the definition of faith really is.

Fr. John