"N umber Twenty-Seven—Testimony for the Church Chapter 14—Willing Obedience 4T 144 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"
"And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of."
The EGW passage directly references and elaborates on the biblical account of Abraham being commanded to sacrifice Isaac in Genesis 22:2.
"By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure."
Both passages discuss Abraham's willingness to offer Isaac as a sacrifice, highlighting his faith and obedience despite his age. The EGW passage elaborates on the challenges Abraham faced due to his age, which is implicit in the biblical account.
"that son with his own hand. It seemed to him a fearful impossibility. 4T 144.2"
"And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of."
The EGW passage directly refers to the command in Genesis 22:2 and emphasizes the difficulty Abraham faced in obeying it. It amplifies the emotional weight of the command.
"Yet God had spoken, and His word must be obeyed. Abraham was stricken in years, but this did not excuse him from duty. He grasped the staff of faith and in dumb agony took by the hand his child, beautiful in the rosy health of youth, and went out to obey the word of God. The grand old patriarch was human; his passions and attachments were like ours, and he loved his boy, who was the solace of his old age, and to whom the promise of the Lord had been given. 4T 144.3"
"And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him."
Both passages describe Abraham's actions in preparing to sacrifice Isaac. The EGW passage adds emotional depth and emphasizes Abraham's love for his son and the difficulty of the task.
"By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,"
Both passages highlight Abraham's faith in offering Isaac. The EGW passage expands on the personal struggle and the reasons why it was a difficult act of faith.