Deepening Your Christian Life XIII

The passages for this week will be challenging for us to read, for they describe the demands of God on those who would follow His purposes. We begin with Abraham.

Genesis 22:1-19

The almost sacrifice of Isaac by Abraham is one of the most well-known, admired and disturbing passages of the Bible. Isaac, as we have already read in a previous week, was the "child of promise," the miracle child born to Abraham and Sarah in their old age. God commands Abraham to take his son up Mt. Moriah and sacrifice him. The Bible tells us right up front that this is a test. Still, we are caught up in the absurdity and horror of God's request. The narrator tells this story with great artistry: the description of gathering of the wood, the climbing part way up the mountain and leaving the servants and the donkey, the innocent request of Isaac about how they will have a sacrifice without a lamb, and finally the provision of a substitute.

So what is the test? Does Abraham follow God just because he gave him his heir, just for the good things he has done for him, or does he follow God no matter what? Jesus had the same problems with those who would follow him only for the miracles. I fear a similar motivation in myself and those who sit in the pew on Sunday morning. Are we there just for the goodies or do we truly love God with all our hearts, souls, minds and strength?

It is also a test of whether he is totally obedient to God. We all struggle with this part of the story, for we are sure that such a request of God is unjust. In fact, we are relieved that there is a ram in the bushes. Otherwise, we might be so offended by this portrayal of God that we would choose not to be a follower. While some admire Abraham's whole-hearted, no-protest obedience to God, others are appalled that he didn't argue with God about the matter. He was willing to argue and bargain with God over Lot and his family, but he gives no argument here. Clearly, the story is told to emphasize proper motive and willingness to obey, but the story does push us to the edge.

But as appalling as this story is, there is a substitute provided. In fact, Abraham calls the place, "YHWH Jireh" (sometimes translated "Jehovah jireh"), meaning "God will provide". Hebrews 11:17ff rescues the story a bit, saying that Abraham had great faith and believed that God would raise Isaac from the dead. The irony of the story is that Abraham says "God will provide the lamb" (a way of placating his son), which God did. For Abraham, how do you spell relief? R-A-M.

Each time I read this, I am immediately taken to Calvary where there was no substitute for the Lamb of God. God did sacrifice His own son for your redemption and mine. The substitution was his payment for sin in place of yours and mine. So this story still fascinates me. It offends me as it portrays God as pro child-sacrifice, which will be prohibited in the Old Testament Law or, at the very least, portrays God as manipulative of the feelings of Abraham and his relationship with His Son. It makes me grateful knowing that for God there was no ram in the bushes. His son dies a brutal death because of and for human sin. And it still makes me question my motives for following Christ. How about you?

It's been a long day. Continue to pray for Darrell and Beverly Rosenow (saw them in Amarillo today). Prayer and your love in Christ is all they really have right now.

PS: There is an error in your reading assignment for tomorrow. It should read Exodus 17:1-7, Numbers 20:1-13 and Deuteronomy 34:1-10.