As I try and make sense of this moment in history when Abraham was asked to do what seems in some minds as utterly horrific, I focus on Genesis 22:4.
Here, God has already explained to Abraham what He was wanting...to have Abraham offer his beloved son Isaac as a sacrifice to Him.
Strange! If you take the time and read commentaries, meanings, and general synopsis of this mind-boggling event, the opinions are various and plentiful.
I have read how in some circles obedience is what God was really after, that the intent was not to kill Isaac but was to test Abraham's faith.
Others have gone as far as to say this was the first recorded event in history of child-abuse, Abraham putting Isaac through a very difficult period of his life.
As for myself, I don't "buy" into either, I don't think God would arrange some "cruel game" to see if Abraham was totally committed to their relationship, nor do I think Abraham would simply give up Isaac, like he wasn't important enough in comparison to his friendship with God.
I again remind myself about the trust factor involved in this whole unfolding drama, and the care and love God has shown to both Abraham and Isaac in their lives.
In Genesis 18, Abraham demonstrates a mature type love himself as he intercedes for Sodom, most likely because Abraham's relatives Lot and his family lived there. Sodom had become a very "nasty" place, with all kinds of historical data as to the lifestyles that went on there. Yet, with all that, Abraham had received a commitment from the Lord that He would not destroy Sodom if there were 10 people living there who were righteous. Abraham had interceded for Lot and his family.
Now, here in Genesis 22, Abraham's very own son was "at stake". And here they are taking a 3 day journey to a land called Moriah. In verse 4 it reads: " On the 3rd day, Abraham looked up...and saw the place...in the distance."
During the 3 day journey, what could have been going through Abraham's mind? Questions like: "Will Isaac be hurt?" or perhaps: "What if I offer myself up in place of Isaac?" "Maybe I should talk this over with God, after all, prayer changes things... prayer can change God's mind...or will prayer change my mind?"
From this "side of the equation", there had to be a hundreds of things" going through Abraham's mind during the 3 day journey.
Yet........
This story is different....I mean, read carefully, and gather some info.
1. Abraham never disputed what God had asked him to do.
2. The friendship between God and Abraham was apparently good, simply by Abraham's response when God called for him: "Here I am."
3. Abraham kept this all to himself, yet wasted no time in preparation. He even woke early the next morning to get a good start, had cut the wood himself for the offering, and loaded his own donkey with supplies etc.
4. Isaac apparently had no clue to what was going on, in fact, some scholars have said Isaac could have been from age 20 to age 37 when this event took place.
5. The 3 day journey gave no indication what Abraham and Isaac were thinking or had perhaps discussed, and then..."Abraham looked up and saw this place...from a distance." It was almost like...Abraham could hardly wait to get there.
6. I wonder why in this verse (4), why the Scriptures found it necessary for us to know "he looked up"....for myself, it would indicate Abraham was resting...he was in a very tranquil state as they drew near to the place....the place where he was going to sacrifice his own son!
7. The name "Isaac" means: to laugh. He was named that because of the sheer age of Abraham and Sarah, and the fact they were still able to have a son...although both of them were near the "century" mark.
This makes me think these two had a healthy sense of humor and were able to take life with stability and maturity.
Now, the sacrifice of Isaac....Abraham is acting a "little strange" here...or he knows something I don't know...do you?
Here, God has already explained to Abraham what He was wanting...to have Abraham offer his beloved son Isaac as a sacrifice to Him.
Strange! If you take the time and read commentaries, meanings, and general synopsis of this mind-boggling event, the opinions are various and plentiful.
I have read how in some circles obedience is what God was really after, that the intent was not to kill Isaac but was to test Abraham's faith.
Others have gone as far as to say this was the first recorded event in history of child-abuse, Abraham putting Isaac through a very difficult period of his life.
As for myself, I don't "buy" into either, I don't think God would arrange some "cruel game" to see if Abraham was totally committed to their relationship, nor do I think Abraham would simply give up Isaac, like he wasn't important enough in comparison to his friendship with God.
I again remind myself about the trust factor involved in this whole unfolding drama, and the care and love God has shown to both Abraham and Isaac in their lives.
In Genesis 18, Abraham demonstrates a mature type love himself as he intercedes for Sodom, most likely because Abraham's relatives Lot and his family lived there. Sodom had become a very "nasty" place, with all kinds of historical data as to the lifestyles that went on there. Yet, with all that, Abraham had received a commitment from the Lord that He would not destroy Sodom if there were 10 people living there who were righteous. Abraham had interceded for Lot and his family.
Now, here in Genesis 22, Abraham's very own son was "at stake". And here they are taking a 3 day journey to a land called Moriah. In verse 4 it reads: " On the 3rd day, Abraham looked up...and saw the place...in the distance."
During the 3 day journey, what could have been going through Abraham's mind? Questions like: "Will Isaac be hurt?" or perhaps: "What if I offer myself up in place of Isaac?" "Maybe I should talk this over with God, after all, prayer changes things... prayer can change God's mind...or will prayer change my mind?"
From this "side of the equation", there had to be a hundreds of things" going through Abraham's mind during the 3 day journey.
Yet........
This story is different....I mean, read carefully, and gather some info.
1. Abraham never disputed what God had asked him to do.
2. The friendship between God and Abraham was apparently good, simply by Abraham's response when God called for him: "Here I am."
3. Abraham kept this all to himself, yet wasted no time in preparation. He even woke early the next morning to get a good start, had cut the wood himself for the offering, and loaded his own donkey with supplies etc.
4. Isaac apparently had no clue to what was going on, in fact, some scholars have said Isaac could have been from age 20 to age 37 when this event took place.
5. The 3 day journey gave no indication what Abraham and Isaac were thinking or had perhaps discussed, and then..."Abraham looked up and saw this place...from a distance." It was almost like...Abraham could hardly wait to get there.
6. I wonder why in this verse (4), why the Scriptures found it necessary for us to know "he looked up"....for myself, it would indicate Abraham was resting...he was in a very tranquil state as they drew near to the place....the place where he was going to sacrifice his own son!
7. The name "Isaac" means: to laugh. He was named that because of the sheer age of Abraham and Sarah, and the fact they were still able to have a son...although both of them were near the "century" mark.
This makes me think these two had a healthy sense of humor and were able to take life with stability and maturity.
Now, the sacrifice of Isaac....Abraham is acting a "little strange" here...or he knows something I don't know...do you?
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