So that the place, of which GOD had told him, was no less than three days journey distant from the place where GOD first appeared to him, and commanded him to take his son. Was not this to try his faith, and to let him see that what he did, was not meerly from a sudden pang of devotion, but a matter of choice and deliberation? But who can tell what the aged patriarch felt during these three days? Strong as he was in faith, I am persuaded his bowels often yearned over his dear son _Isaac_. Methinks I see the good old man walking with his dear child in his hand, and now and then looking upon him, loving him, and then turning aside to weep. And perhaps, sometimes he stays a little behind to pour out his heart before GOD, for he had no mortal to tell his case to. Then, methinks, I see him join his son and servants again, and talking to them of the things pertaining to the kingdom of GOD, as they walked by the way. At length, “on the third day, he lifts up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.” And, to shew that he was yet sincerely resolved to do whatsoever the LORD required of him, he even now will not discover his design to his servants, but “said, verse 5. to his young men,” (as we should say to our worldly thoughts, when about to tread the courts of the LORD’s house) “Abide you here with the ass; and I and the lad will go up yonder and worship, and come again to you.” This was a sufficient reason for their staying behind; and, it being their master’s custom to go frequently to worship, they could have no suspicion of what he was going about. And by _Abraham_’s saying, that he and the lad would come again, I am apt to think he believed GOD would raise him from the dead, if so be he permitted him to offer his child up for a burnt-offering. However that be, he is yet resolved to obey GOD to the uttermost; and therefore,
Verse 6. “_Abraham_ took the wood of the burnt-offering, and laid it upon _Isaac_ his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife, and they went both of them together.” Little did _Isaac_ think that he was to be offered on that very wood which he was carrying upon his shoulders; and therefore _Isaac_ innocently, and with a holy freedom (for good men should not keep their children at too great a distance) “spake unto _Abraham_ his father, and said, My father; and he (with equal affection and holy condescension) said, Here am I, my son.” And to shew how careful _Abraham_ had been (as all christian parents ought to be) to instruct his _Isaac_ how to sacrifice to GOD, like a youth trained up in the way wherein he should go; _Isaac_ said, “Behold the fire and the wood; but where is the lamb for a burnt-offering?” How beautiful is early piety! how amiable, to hear young people ask questions about sacrificing to GOD in an acceptable way! _Isaac_ knew very well that a lamb was wanting, and that a lamb was necessary for a proper sacrifice: “Behold the fire and the wood; but where is the lamb for a burnt-offering?” Young men and maidens, learn of him.
Hitherto, it is plain, _Isaac_ knew nothing of his father’s design: but I believe, by what his father said in answer to his question, that now was the time _Abraham_ revealed it unto him.
Verse 8. “And _Abraham_ said, My son, GOD will provide himself a Lamb for a burnt-offering.” Some think, that _Abraham_ by faith saw the LORD JESUS afar off, and here spake prophetically of that Lamb of GOD already slain in decree, and hereafter to be actually offered up for sinners. This was a lamb of GOD’s providing indeed (we dared not have thought of it) to satisfy his own justice, and to render him just in justifying the ungodly. What is all our fire and wood, the best preparation and performances we can make or present, unless GOD had provided himself this Lamb for a burnt-offering? He could not away with them. The words will well bear this interpretation. But, whatever _Abraham_ might intend, I cannot but think he here made an application, and acquainted his son, of GOD’s dealing with his soul; and at length, with tears in his eyes, and the utmost affection in his heart, cried out, “Thou art to be the lamb, my Son;” GOD has commanded me to provide thee for a burnt-offering, and to offer thee upon the mountain which we are now ascending. And, as it appears from a subsequent verse, _Isaac_, convinced that it was the divine will, made no resistance at all: For it is said, “They went both of them together;” and again, when we are told, that _Abraham_ bound _Isaac_, we do not hear of his complaining, or endeavouring to escape, which he might have done, being (as some think) near thirty years of age, and, it is plain, capable of carrying wood enough for a burnt-offering. But he was partaker of the like precious faith with his aged father, and therefore is as willing to be offered, as _Abraham_ is to offer him: And “so they went both of them together.”