Wow…intense chapter! The most striking thing to me from this passage is Abraham’s immediate obedience. Check out verses two and three: “Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”
Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about.”
What a test of Abraham’s faith! Would he choose his son, the only son that he had waited years for, and whom he so deeply loved or would he choose God? And his response blows me away. He doesn’t hesitate. He doesn’t argue. He doesn't fight. He doesn’t ask questions. He doesn’t demand explanation. Instead he promptly obeys.
Whom will you choose – your son (whatever that may be in your life) or God?
Gina G.
Great comments Gina. To think that Abraham waited so long for Isaac, which God promised in Abraham's later years, and now God is wanting to take Isaac away. I know I would not have had the faith to do that with my son. I want to pray for faith like that. Faith that doesn't waiver even when God is asking us to do the seemingly "impossible".
ReplyDeleteMust have been a sleepless night for Abraham.
ReplyDeleteThe unwavering faith of Abraham is absolutely amazing and wish I had faith like that. I wonder what Isaac was thinking throughout all this!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure over night Abraham had many thoughts of not obeying Gods command. Imagine the faith and trust he ultimately showed to God. To take his only son to be sacrificed, not having any idea why? Only to find out later, that he and his family would surely be blessed forever.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great example of what "true faith" is!
One can only imagine what Abraham was thinking or going through in this, but I can't help but think that from the beginning of the whole dialog he knew that God was going to provide. If not, I am guessing he would have had a few questions for God in a potentially spirited dialog when He first presented the idea that he sacrifice Isaac. But he didn't...he just obeyed. Even when Abraham told the servants to wait...he told them that "we" are going to go and worship and "we" will return. When Isaac questioned, his immediate response was "God will provide". I don't think that Abraham was surprised one bit when the ram was caught in the bushes. I think his great faith started much earlier in this story than I have always thought. It makes me think...how often do I fret and worry and panic...and then in the end decide to have faith...mostly because I have no other option, instead of trusting and having faith right out of the gate. Oh to have the faith of Abraham...something to work towards!
ReplyDeleteI've also heard that in the time and culture Abraham lived, the expectation that gods would demand human sacrifice was widely accepted. I point this out not to diminish Abraham's faith by one drop, but only to magnify how great is the God we serve. Here I see the Lord--our great Teacher--showing us who He is in vivid contrast to any other: a God who provides.
ReplyDeleteAs I read this chapter last night, I kept thinking about Isaac and what he was thinking as he began to understand what was happening. I wonder how this experience shaped and changed Isaac's life.
ReplyDeleteWhile I was agreeing that Abraham must have had a very sleepless night, I was also reminded of Jesus when he was praying in the garden (which was referenced earlier). Just because Abraham got up the next morning to do as God commanded, doesn't mean he didn't spend all night asking that God would take this cup away. That thought makes me feel a "little" bit more connected to Abraham and that his great faith is not something that is unattainable for one like myself. Although I must admit Matthew, I had never noticed the "we" before… that was pretty awesome. I can't help but wonder what whispers he received during that sleepless night :)
ReplyDeleteReuben - great insight. We serve a God unlike any other.
ReplyDeleteAlso notice how Abraham listens. "Here am I" is recorded three times coming out of Abrahams mouth.
Audrey, what a powerful insight connecting Abraham's sleepless night w/ Jesus' prayer in the garden. Heavy stuff.
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