Question: Why did God command Abraham to sacrifice his son; why did God not tell him to give up his wealth instead? 1. There is no doubt that offering Isaac on the altar was the hardest test Abraham ever faced. No doubt Abraham also wished that God had instead commanded him to sacrifice his wealth. 2. It would have been difficult for any loving parent to sacrifice his child. But if that is all we see, we miss the point. The ultimate test of faith was whether Abraham believed God would do what He said He would do re. the Promises. This point is seen in Heb. 11:17,18. 3. In the record of Gen. 22, what is really sacrificed? a. Not Isaac, v. 12. b. The ram v. 13, but this is anticlimactic, not the main point. c. Abraham's will, logic, emotion: Abraham sacrificed himself; he truly gave self to the Lord. 4. We tend to say, I'm glad the Lord does not require that of us! But in principle, He does. Mt.6:33; 2 Cor. 8:5; Gal. 2:20.