Genesis: Sacrifice

Context

the son of promise that took many years to come to fruition

the second of Abraham’s sons

maybe God waited to give Isaac because of Abraham and Sarah’s lack of faith

Ishmael is loved by Abraham but had to be cast out

whatever the father son dynamic is between Isaac and Abraham, it is likely a slightly awkward one

Isaac is the only son Abraham has left and so he cherishes him despite the past

It has been several years and Isaac is old enough to walk and talk

Challenge

go up on Mount Moriah and sacrifice your son

a return to faithful Abraham

much like in the first story we see no questioning in this call narrative

unlike in previous ones, he will not try to find a way to benefit himself or strike out on his own to do things his own way

Abraham simply has faith in God as the Hebrew writer will say

they go up early in the morning and travel for a few days to reach the place

they set up the alter but they have no sacrifice to offer

Isaac is curious about all of this

Abraham continues on to the point of drawing the knife without pause, because he has followed God this far and what God has shown has always come true

after the birth of Isaac, he has no doubt left in him

the angel stops him and they sacrifice the provided ram instead

God then promises once again all that he has before

Application

why would God ask his servant to do that?

wouldn’t that make him no better than any of the others?

God does not require human sacrifice except for one

he makes a point on this mountain that he will make again

he will provide a sacrifice of his son in the place of ours

the mount where Solomon will build the temple

the place where God will reside, where the curtain will be torn in two

a place where man can have faith in a God who is in control and will keep his promises about life and hope even when we don’t understand him or his methods