“If the Holy One, blessed be He, were to require all my members, I would not delay.” – Targum Yonaton on Genesis 22:1, sefaria.org
According to Targum Yonaton, Ishmael challenged Isaac, concerning the inheritance, claiming that because he was more righteous he should receive the inheritance. “Izhak responded and said, Behold now, today I am thirty and six years old; and if the Holy One, blessed be He, were to require all my members, I would not delay” (ibid; see above). The following test ensued, to see if Isaac was sincere in his words – he was to be brought up as an offering on Mount Moriah.
This rendering is the perspective given from the vantage point of Isaac, who went willingly with his father Abraham. We are not our own; and, our children are gifts from G-d. Abraham’s acknowledgment of G-d’s commandment to give up what was most precious to him, namely his son, Isaac, was a demonstration of this tenet. In a way, he would have only been giving back to G-d what had been given to him. (This may be challenging to understand, unless one reflects upon this).
The Torah states, v’haelokim nisa, that G-d tested Abraham, thus connoting the ordeal that Abraham was being placed under to test his character, commitment, and devotion to H’Shem. Commentary explains that the Hebrew word, נסה (nisa) is rendered by the Midrash as having the connotation of being “elevated,” like a נס (banner). Each of Abraham’s ten trials elevated him in character to a new level, a heightened spiritual stature, until the tenth test, wherein he reached the pinnacle of his personal development in regard to his faith in H’Shem.
Yet, Isaac was willingly about to give up his own life in order to serve H’Shem. And, who amongst Israel would be willing to yield their life to G-d’s decree? Without realizing it, whatever situation that we are put in life, this is where G-d expects us to be. We do not know what may be required of us.
H’Shem’s blessing is upon us, when we serve Him wholeheartedly; regardless of the outcome, we may be assured that it is ultimately for our benefit, as well as others. Despite how we might think, if circumstances appear to be negative, we should think, “into your hand, shall I entrust my spirit.” Our personal salvation is dependent upon nothing more than G-d’s attention to every detail in our lives. He would not give us a challenge that would be more than we are able to face.
The Tree of Life 