"By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac; and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son." (Hebrews 11:17)
Yet Abraham did not slay his son, who lived to a good old age. The offering was made in the heart of Abraham.
He had received his son from the Lord, and he gave him up at the Lord's call; but the Lord gave him back. God looks upon the heart.
The gift which a heart makes, and which would be offered if there were the ability or opportunity, is counted by the Lord as already given.
On the other hand, the evil which men meditate, but which circumstances, where lack of ability prevent, is counted to them as actually accomplished.--Present Truth, August 9, 1894--Genesis 22.