The sacrifice of Isaac is one of the most troubling episodes in Abraham's life. We find it hard to imagine how God could ask such a thing of a man, especially given the circumstances (see blogs starting http://dundeebeliever.blogspot.com/2009/05/genesis-2212.html for more comments.
It seemed as if God was telling Abraham to destroy the very thing that He had promised to him, the one he had lived for, and had followed and believed God for. If he did this it seemed as if there was no way God's promise of numerous descendants could be fulfilled.
In spite of all this Abraham obeyed God. To the Jews becoming Christians would seem like they were throwing away the heritage that God had promised to them, and the means of receiving that promise. Yet, like Abraham, things would work out differently. God did not in the end require the sacrifice, but provided the sacrifice himself. Abraham acted in faith.
Two of the key aspects of faith are (i) doing what God says; (ii) knowing that somehow or other God will work things out.
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