Day 4

So Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and laid it on his son Isaac, while he himself carried the fire and the knife. Genesis 22:6

Isaac was Abraham and Sarah's son, and he loved God as much as his parents did. One day, God tested Abraham by asking him to sacrifice Isaac. A sacrifice is a ritual done to worship God. Often it meant giving back or "sacrificing" something of great value. In ancient times, animals that offered food, milk, or hide were considered very valuable to a family and would be killed as a sacrifice to God. In the case of Abraham's test, God asked Abraham to give back a valuable piece of his heart to the Lord — his precious son, Isaac, whom he and his wife had long prayed for. 

When this happened, Isaac wasn't a baby; he was at least old enough to carry the heavy firewood up the mountain (as we read in Scripture). This means that Isaac was aware of what was happening and willingly agreed to what God was asking of his father! Once God saw the faithfulness of this father and son, He provided a ram in place of Isaac for the sacrifice. Phew.

Abraham and Sarah received Isaac as a gift from the Lord. God creates each of us in His image and likeness and places us into the arms of a family. Your parents are asked by God to love you with His heart and prepare you for eternal life in heaven with Him. Isaac's story reminds us that children are a gift to be treasured.