Genesis 22-24

[wolfpurplemoon]

Abraham's son Isaac, almost a human sacrifice and married to his cousin.

* I think much has been said about the barbarity of the Lord's test of Abraham's faith. The fact that he has to test someone's limits shows he's definitely not all-knowing and Abraham carries on being the most easily led man ever. To actually get to the point of raising the knife above your child's heart, another fine example of the family values in this book.

* After the death of his very old wife, Abraham sends a servant to find a wife for Isaac in his homeland, because he can't have his son marrying within the place they reside, because they aren't part of the chosen people I suppose. The servant finds Abraham's brother and procures his daughter, and Isaac therefore marries his cousin. It's nice that Abraham decided to do something nice for his son, well nicer than sacrificing him to the Lord anyway...

Comments

yeah ...

[(Anonymous)]

let me first say that I'm a Christian, and for the longest time, I've had my own issues with this passage. I have often asked after reading Abraham sacrificing Isaac: Isn't God petty and insecure? Why would God need to test Abraham's faith? Like you said, wouldn't He just know?

I then came across some in depth studies on this specific passage, and it has helped me see clearer on this passage. While most bible studies will use this as a teaching about faith, i had come to learn that this passage is more about God's love. Here's why ...

According to Chuck Missler's Learn the Bible in 24 Hours, a lot of the Old Testament has what he calls prophetic types. God asked his people to perform a lot of things that may fulfill an immediate need within the context of the story, but also, fulfills a grander purpose. In this instance of Abraham and Isaac, God asked Abraham to sacrifice Isaac to prophetically illustrate one thing: God Himself, is going to sacrifice His own Son Jesus for us as an atonement of sin. Abraham acted out what God himself will do on our behalf.

If that is true, God isn't petty or jealous in that sense in having Abraham perform this. It is simply a foretelling of what God himself will do in the future in Jesus, and Abraham was faithful enough to trust God in performing this act for God. It's a partnership God has with some of his chosen in creating these prophesy of Jesus. Elsewhere, you will read other prophetic acts also. For example, Moses was asked also, but he failed to carried out when he became frustrated. The story of Ruth is another prophetic type/story packed with info. I'll let you read more about it on your own. But the chuck missler book will definitely help seeing how everything in the Bible work together to bring one message across, that is Jesus Christ.

Anon 2

[(Anonymous)]

This is dying to be said. I'm still reading and one think you need to keep in mind is you're reading this in 2010. "Acceptable values" have changed. Secondly, you ARE NOT reading this with an open mind or heart...you're reading it to judge it.

Re: Anon 2

[wolfpurplemoon]

I know it is 2010 but the bible is often held up as the ultimate source of what is moral and right, so it seems that those who claim the bible as such don't seem to think that acceptable values have changed since the bible was written.

You seem to think I don't have an open mind when because I don't agree with the bible? Is the bible somehow above judgement? Surely if it's truly the unshakeable word of God then it won't be too affected by my little ramblings.

[mentalguru.livejournal.com]

-Sighs- Back when I was a christian, this was the story which really terrified me. A part of me realised I possibly could never bring myself to do this to someone I cared about- or even necessarily didn't know or hated (sacrifice them). And also the fact Abraham loved his son meant I was not all that comfortable even though I knew my parents loved me too.

The thing was while of course christians believe sacrifice isn't required at all with christ's sacrifice, however we are still supossed to give up worldly and earthly desires and even people in favour of god. It seemed logical to me perhaps to put god in front of myself in some regard, but ahead of other people simply didn't make much sense to me and also made me feel terrible, because it just was something that felt entirely unnatural to me and pointless with an all powerful being- surely say if I was a student to a very rich and powerful, completely healthy man who was also wise and compassionate, he'd understand if say I had to look after my friend who is in a less privlidged position.