So, we see here the fulfillment of his faith. That because of Abraham's loyalty, God provided. God provided the lamb in the form of this ram. This is all acting out the covenant that they had made together in chapter 17. Abraham is doing his part and God is doing His part. Abraham's part was to walk before God and be blameless. That is, he was to have a relationship with God and he was to obey His voice—which God says that is what he did. He said, "Now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son." He obeyed His voice. He later says in verse 18 "because you have obeyed My voice," He would give him all of these things, all the promises in the covenant.
Back to Abraham again. Abraham had to learn this lesson as well and I think that it is very interesting to notice what Abraham stated at the conclusion of what was undoubtedly the supreme trial of his life and that is when he was commanded to sacrifice Isaac.
God had provided. I think that pretty much sums up a major lesson that Abraham learned through the entirety of his one-hundred years of living by faith. God did provide. We have to learn this too.
So the ram, a type of Christ, was behind Abraham. He had not seen it previously. And it was offered for Isaac as Christ was offered for us.
