Liahona, Gold Pendant How to Raise a Family Benefits of Parent Meaning of Parables |
 On the eve of his departure with Isaac for Mount Moriah, Abraham must have presided at dinner with a heavy heart. His mind surely called to remembrance all the teachings from the Spirit throughout his life. Of Abraham God had said, ‘Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do? For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord.’
From the time of Adam, people knew that the blood sacrifices they offered were a type, or similitude, of the sacrifice of Christ. Knowing of the plan for a coming Redeemer comforted Abraham as he faced the supreme test of faith and obedience which the Lord required of him.
God loved Abraham, and prepared him well for the ordeal that lay ahead of him. He appeared to him in a vision, saying, ‘Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.’ And Abraham believed the Lord, and trusted Him.
So great was his faith and trust in his Heavenly Father, that when Isaac questioned him, Abraham was able to answer, ‘My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering.’
What might have been the feelings of our Father in Heaven when He sacrificed his own Son? At some point in time, we as parents may be required to watch our own children suffer— this, either as consequences of their own unwise choices, or perhaps even circumstances due to no fault of their own. At that time, we are faced with the realization that we cannot pass through the trial on their behalf. Only they can endure the tribulation. Knowing that the lamb has been provided, we can exercise our own faith to empower them to pass the test. |
