1 After all this, God tested Abraham. God said, "Abraham!"
"Yes?" answered Abraham. "I'm listening."
2 He said, "Take your dear son Isaac whom you love and go to the land of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains that I'll point out to you." (The Message)
I have to say right up front that I do not understand this story from a parents point of view and I'm sure I don't understand it from being a son. If there has ever been a reason to be in therapy I think Isaac gets the award here. I get the point of the story in that God is separating himself from the other gods of the day and age that were associated with child sacrifices. I understand that Abraham is being asked once again to place his whole faith in a God who can do exactly what he promises to even more than once. I get it that if God can give Abraham a son at their advanced age he can give them another son even several years later. I just don't get how God can ask this of a parent or what Isaac must have thought as a result of this little excursion.
I'm left to wonder if Abraham and Isaac ever talked about this when Isaac was older or was it just something that remained unspoken between them. If it was never spoken of how could Isaac ever come to grips with the reasons why his father was willing to do this and put him through such an ordeal? So while I think of Isaac I also think about the things that have not been spoken of between my father and I and I'm left to think about what needs to be spoken of between my son and I.
Some thoughts to ponder and share with others:
- What are your first thoughts about this story of Abraham and Isaac?
- How do you think Isaac might have viewed God as a result of this experience?
- Do you have things in your life that you need to talk about with your parents, siblings, children that might help you understand your life in a healthier way?
- Where can you look for God even in the worst of your family experiences?
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