Gen 22:10, 11, 18
Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham! ... Through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me."
Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham! ... Through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me."
The story. Abraham took his son to the mountain, as God instructed, and would have sacrificed him as a burnt offering had not God himself intervened and provided a ram for the altar. How shall I read this story?
- Should I be impressed with Abraham’s faith? He did not with-hold what was most precious.
- Should I be uncomfortable with God’s test? Sacrifice your son.
- Should I react negatively to Isaac the “pawn” in a high stakes game between God and Abraham?
- Should I sit quietly and contemplate the “lamb” who was sacrificed instead of me?
The end. The outcome of this story is good. Blessing! No nation will be excluded. God’s holy, happy, hope will be made tangible in every kingdom on earth. It sounds amazing. God honours Abraham and then he reaches through this moment in history to bless me as well.
What is at Risk?
Isaac’s life was never really at risk. God did not intend that he would die. Ironically regardless of what Abraham does in this story, the boy will live. The boy is not the focus.
What is at Risk?
Isaac’s life was never really at risk. God did not intend that he would die. Ironically regardless of what Abraham does in this story, the boy will live. The boy is not the focus.
Abraham’s obedience was at risk. Isaac’s status as the blessing bearer was at risk. God’s intention to bless all nations was at risk. My share in this promise was at risk.
A Key?
All stories need a starting place (or a key) and that starting place is rarely at the beginning. Here, like a lot of stories, the starting place is found at the finish. In verse 18 I learn that Isaac is not a vulnerable kid, he is a patriarch in the making with the hand of God upon his future.
This re-calibrates the story.
If I start with “Isaac – "the abused child” the story runs thus. God is mean for asking this. Abraham is weak allowing himself to be an accomplice. I feel bad for Isaac and annoyed at the two bullies.
If I start with “Isaac – God’s mighty Bless-er of ALL NATIONS” the story runs very differently. God is mysterious to ask this of Abraham. Abraham is incredibly bold to take his trust this far. Isaac is under divine protection and I feel inspired, humbled and challenged as I read.
Isaac is no ordinary pawn in this game of cosmic chess. He is the pawn promoted to queen at the turning point of the game! There is no move that Abraham can make by which he would lose his son, his only son, the son whom he loves (vs. 2, 12, 16). But there is a move that he can make which will change the game forever. That move is to give up his son to be crowned God’s queen of blessing to all nations.
Those who protest most loudly for Isaac’s rights as a child often call for the death of God. It is ironic that in the bible story no one dies and Nations are promised blessing. But in every attempt to rewrite this story, someone must die and all people forfeit God’s favour.
Questions
This re-calibrates the story.
If I start with “Isaac – "the abused child” the story runs thus. God is mean for asking this. Abraham is weak allowing himself to be an accomplice. I feel bad for Isaac and annoyed at the two bullies.
If I start with “Isaac – God’s mighty Bless-er of ALL NATIONS” the story runs very differently. God is mysterious to ask this of Abraham. Abraham is incredibly bold to take his trust this far. Isaac is under divine protection and I feel inspired, humbled and challenged as I read.
Isaac is no ordinary pawn in this game of cosmic chess. He is the pawn promoted to queen at the turning point of the game! There is no move that Abraham can make by which he would lose his son, his only son, the son whom he loves (vs. 2, 12, 16). But there is a move that he can make which will change the game forever. That move is to give up his son to be crowned God’s queen of blessing to all nations.
Those who protest most loudly for Isaac’s rights as a child often call for the death of God. It is ironic that in the bible story no one dies and Nations are promised blessing. But in every attempt to rewrite this story, someone must die and all people forfeit God’s favour.
Questions
- How do you exercise surrender to God?
- When and how have you experienced his blessings?
Epilogue
I note another chilling irony. Our wires are crossed in Victoria (where I live) when it comes to children.
Any child who can carry his own wood (vs. 6) we will protect. Should God himself have a cosmic plan which puts that life at risk, public opinion will oppose God and protect the child. That child has value.
Any child who is one day short of birth and still at rest in the womb we will NOT protect. Should the adults concerned have a private intention that puts this life at risk, we will NOT oppose them but will give them the legal right to kill the fetus. This child does NOT have value.
Sad is the Nation where this is her story. Can Abraham’s son still bless us?
Any child who is one day short of birth and still at rest in the womb we will NOT protect. Should the adults concerned have a private intention that puts this life at risk, we will NOT oppose them but will give them the legal right to kill the fetus. This child does NOT have value.
Sad is the Nation where this is her story. Can Abraham’s son still bless us?
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