Number Twenty-Seven—Testimony for the ChurchChapter 14—Willing Obedience Abraham was an old man when he received the startling command from God to offer up his son Isaac for a burnt offering. Abraham was considered an old man even in his generation. The ardor of his youth had faded away. It was no longer easy for him to endure hardships and brave dangers. In the vigor of youth man may breast the storm with a proud consciousness of strength and rise above discouragements that would cause his heart to fail later in life, when his steps are faltering toward the grave. {4T 144.1}

(144) [Abraham var en gammel mand, da han modtog den overraskende befaling fra Gud, at han skulle ofre sin søn Isak som et brændoffer. Abraham blev betragtet som en gammel mand endog i den dalevende slægt. Hans ungdoms fyrighed var svundet hen. Det var ikke længere let for ham at tåle møje og at trodse farer. I ungdommens kraft kan et menneske møde stormen med stolt bevidsthed om styrke og hæve sig over nedstammede forhold, der ville få modet til at svigte senere hen i livet, når han med vaklende trin nærmer sig graven.