At the time of receiving this command, Abraham had reached the age of a hundred and twenty years. He was regarded as an old man, even in his generation. In his earlier years he had been strong to endure hardship and to brave danger, but now the ardor of his youth had passed away. One in the vigor of manhood may with courage meet difficulties and afflictions that would cause his heart to fail later in life, when his feet are faltering toward the grave. But God had reserved His last, most trying test for Abraham until the burden of years was heavy upon him, and he longed for rest from anxiety and toil.

Da denne befaling blev givet, var Abraham et hundrede og tyve år gammel. Han blev betragtet som en gammel mand, selv på den tid. I sine yngre år havde han været stærk nok til at udholde strabadser og trodse farer; men nu var hans ungdoms fyrighed forsvundet. I sin manddoms kraft kan en mand modigt udholde vanskeligheder og sorger, som vil få hans hjerte til at briste senere hen i livet, når hans fødder vakler mod graven. Men Gud havde gemt Abrahams sidste og mest krævende prøve, til årenes byrde hvilede tungt på ham, og han længtes efter hvile fra ængstelse og slid.