Thursday 02 July 2009

Background

Today, this vital part of the Abraham story is often looked uponwith some horror and dismay. Who is this god that plays games withchild sacrifice? What sort of religion actually gives credit toAbraham for his actions here? How can Abraham, who pleaded thecause of Sodom and Gomorrah, fail to raise a single objection tothe death of his son? And why couldn't an all-knowing god simplysee what was in Abraham's heart without having to test him?

But the narrative doesn't dwell on Abraham's emotions, andconsiders even less the emotional and psychological damage such atest might have on Isaac. It's told in such a way so as not to letquestions like these cloud the issue. We watch as if it's ahorrifying silent movie with only the very occasionalsubtitle.

The uniqueness of Isaac, and Abraham's love for him, ishighlighted, but not by Abraham. We are given little insight intohis thoughts. Rather, God's messenger assures Abraham that God doesknow how much the son means to his father, but the command remains.We cannot hear any cries of protest as Isaac is bound and laid onthe wood; instead we look on from afar. This is the perspective theBible gives us in this story, and it suggests that we might beconsidering a much bigger picture.

This story is traditionally a prime example of faith and obedience.In recent times however, questions have been raised about whetherAbraham actually passed the test, or whether he would have donebetter offering his own life instead. But perhaps Abraham knew thatthis was not the time for bargaining; this was God requiring him tooffer his all, and nothing he could offer, even his own life, wouldbe worth more than his son.

Isaac was not only immensely loved by Abraham, but was the livingembodiment of God's Covenant blessing. Contained within every childthere is unlimited potential, but Abraham knew that that it wasthrough Isaac that God's promise would come to pass. And we knowthat this meant the whole nation of Israel: millions descended fromthis family set apart by God, and, of course, many years later, theultimate blessing for the whole earth: Jesus Christ - God's onlybeloved son.

Abraham knew that God was asking nothing less than everything. Allthings belong to God anyway. God had given, and God could takeaway. And yet, in his words to his servants and to Isaac, Abrahamindicates faith in God's word to him, that somehow the promisewould be fulfilled. Now we can marvel at this faith and obediencethat Abraham showed in abundance. And God saw and acknowledgedthis. But is there more to this test than that?

Ultimately, it's not Abraham who saves the day in this story, forall his faith and obedience. In fact, Abraham's faith and obediencewould have left him with absolutely nothing if it hadn't been forGod's grace and provision. Had Abraham gone through with it - withall the faith and obedience in the world - he would have losteverything and would live out his days as a broken, distraught andlonely man, and the promise would be no more. But the Lordprovided. Abraham and Isaac breathe again. And the Covenantblessing is renewed.

To Ponder

Where do you see God's provision in yourlife?

There are obvious parallels between this storyand the death of Jesus. And again, some accuse God of 'cosmic childabuse'. What do you make of that accusation?

Where do you see faith and obedience in the NewCovenant of Christ? In what way has God provided through that?