- Genesis 22:1-14
- Psalm 89:1-4, 13-18
Early Thoughts: "Father Abraham, had 7 sons, 7 sons had Father Abraham" So went an action song we sang when I was in Sunday School. Given his parenting style this is probably a good thing. Because he needed spares.
Scripturally we only hear about Abraham having 2 sons -- Ishmael and Isaac. And both of them come near death as the story is told. This week we will look at the story commonly called the "Binding of Isaac", next week we will talk about Ishmael's story.
There are stories that really make you ask "why was this one kept? why do we keep telling this story?". The Binding of Isaac, the story of Abraham taking his long-awaited son out to be offered as a burnt sacrifice is one of those. What is God trying to tell us through this story?
Is it about the willingness to put God first? A story about idolatry?
Is it about a test? And if it is a test does Abraham pass or fail?
Not sure I find either of those lines profitable..... especially if you want Abraham or God to come out looking likable.
At the same time I suspect that we sacrifice our children in big and small ways to far less grandiose, far less "noble" causes.
So I am trying to picture Sarah's reaction to Abraham's plan. And I am wondering where we need to ask ourselves similar questions....
--Gord
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