Yet none but God could understand how great was the father's sacrifice in yielding up his son to death; Abraham desired that none but God should witness the parting scene. He bade his servants remain behind, saying, "I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you." The wood was laid upon Isaac, the one to be offered, the father took the knife and the fire, and together they ascended toward the mountain summit, the young man silently wondering whence, so far from folds and flocks, the offering was to come. At last he spoke, "My father," "behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" Oh, what a test was this! How the endearing words, "my father," pierced Abraham's heart! Not yet--he could not tell him now . "My son," he said, "God will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering."

Men ingen uden Gud kunne forstå, hvor stort faderens offer var, da han gav sin søn hen i døden. Abraham ønskede, at Gud alene skulle være vidne til afskedsscenen. Han bød sine tjenere blive tilbage og sagde: "Jeg og drengen vandrer derhen for at tilbede; så kommer vi tilbage til Eder." Brændet blev lagt på Isak, der skulle ofres, faderen tog kniven og ilden, og sammen steg de op mod bjergets top. Den unge mand undrede sig stiltiende over, hvorfra offeret skulle komme nu, da de var langt fra folde og hjorde. Til sidst sagde han: "Fader! her er ilden og brændet, men hvor er dyret til brændofferet?" Å, hvilken prøve! Hvor det kærlige ord "fader" stak Abraham i hjertet! Ikke endnu - han kunne ikke fortælle det endnu. "Gud vil selv udse sig dyret til brændofferet, min søn!" sagde han.