A TEST OF FAITH
Genesis 22:1-14
It had been a day like any other day when Abraham heard those disturbing words. They were words that pierced his heart like a newly formed dagger. They were words that tore apart his insides like a lion feasting on a zebra. They were words that dug deep into the very essence of his soul. He was just minding his own business taking care of the old homestead when he heard the Lord speak to him.
"Abraham."
"Well, Lord, here I am. It sure is nice to hear from you today. It’s been a little while. How are things going in the heavenly realm?"
"Things are going just fine Abraham. How about you?"
"Well Lord, you know I can’t lie. You know all so there is no point in even trying. Things are going well. The crops are growing as expected, the animals are healthy. I heard from Hagar the other day and it appears that she and Ishmael are getting along quite well. I really messed up on that one didn’t I Lord. But, hey, thanks for being there. I hated casting them out but, it was them or me. After Isaac was born, Sarah was fit to be tied. But, like you said back then ’a man’s got to do what a man’s to do’ and you would take care of them, which you have. I thank you for that Lord. You have continued to come through for me. Things are happier at home now. Sarah is happy and Isaac is growing like a weed. I don’t know why, but you have always provided for me and for that, I praise you."
"Well good Abraham, I’m glad you feel that way because there is something I would like you do for me."
"Lord, you name it. I am your servant, you tell me what to do and I will do it. Me cassia Es Su cassia."
"Abraham, take Isaac your loving son and go to the land of Moriah and offer him there as a burnt offering to me. I’ll tell you on what mountain once you get there. You say you’re grateful for what I have done, now show me. I’ll see you there."
As quickly as the Lord’s voice came to Abe, it left. I can see Abe standing there in the middle of the field with his jaw dropped, a lump in his throat, trying to hold down the morning’s breakfast, in utter shock and amazement. What was God talking about? Was he serious? Was he joking? Was he nuts? Why would God do such a thing to his faithful servant Abraham? I bet Abraham was thinking something like, "Surely this wasn’t punishment for lying about Sarah’s relationship to me with Pharaoh was it? Surely God wasn’t sill mad about Sarah laughing at he when he told us about her pregnancy? Oh man, just wait until I see her tonight when I get home. That woman, I knew she was trouble when I …, wait a minute. I get it. I thought we put all this past stuff behind us, but, God you are really mad about this Ishmael thing aren’t you? Man I really did mess up. Okay God, I get your point. I don’t like it, but I’ll do it."
As he turned to walk back up to the house, he heard the voice one more time quickly say "No, Abraham, it’s not about any of those things. I have put the past behind me. The past is just that, the past. I’ve forgiven you for all of that nonsense. Just show me how much you love and appreciate me." And again, the voice left. With that, Abe retired for the rest of the day with the disturbing words echoing in his head, a pain in his chest, and a wish that he could chalk all of this up to a bad serving of coscoos. But it was hopeless. It was real.
With the same mixed emotions and feelings that he had the day before, Abraham got up early the next morning. He grabbed his two most faithful ranch hands, his best donkey, a week’s worth of rations and supplies, and headed of to Moriah. For three day they walked. I can imagine the conversation, the mixed emotions, the thoughts, the turmoil, and the pain that cut through Abraham like a knife. He wanted to make the most of the last few precious hours that he knew he had with the son of the promise. He couldn’t quite understand why God would promise one thing and then do the complete opposite. But, nevertheless, he was going to be obedient. God had been faithful to his word in the past so surely he would be faithful now.
On the third day of the journey, Abraham looked up and saw the place he knew where he supposed to go. The time was getting ever closer.
"Fellas, do me a favor and stay here with the donkey while Isaac and I go up on the mount to worship. We’ll come down in a little while." These were the words spoken, but the thought in Abe’s head was something like, "How am I going to explain this when only I return? This is going to be a neat trick."
"Okay boss, we’ll be waiting."
With that, Abraham and Isaac took the wood, the torch, and a knife and headed up to the top of the mountain. When I read that Isaac had to carry the wood for his own possible death (although he didn’t know it yet) I am reminded of a time when I had to pick out my own switch for some punishment I received for disobeying my dad. Talk about picking out one’s own murder weapon.
We must remember that at this time in life, Isaac was not a little child. Some scholars put in his early twenties, but I would probably guess he was a teenager. Whatever his age was, Isaac was no dummy. It wasn’t too soon, probably about a third of the way up the mountain when Isaac began to put two plus two together and asked a very perplexing question.
"Uh, Dad."
"Yes my son, I am here. What can I do for you?
"Dad, I feel the wood on my back, I see that you are carrying the torch, but, uh, umm, you know, umm, where is the lamb for the offering."
"Oh great!" thought Abraham. "I knew this day was coming. I knew he was going to ask this question.. Well, here goes nothing." "Son, the Lord will provide for the burnt offering." "Phfeew, dodged that bullet. Abraham, you genius," he thought.
"Okay dad, whatever you say." With that they continued on their journey. They walked for a while longer. Only now the journey had turned to drudgery for Abraham. He was trying to be a man of faith and obedience. Each step seemed like a mile and each mile seemed like only a step. Why continue? Who could blame him for turning around and walking back home? How could Abraham continue on this journey to appease this sadistic God? How could he continue to do this? Because although in the flesh, Abraham had his doubts, in the Spirit, he had his certainties. He had seen God work in his life in the past and was able to comprehend to an extent that somehow, someway, God was going to provide. He didn’t know how, and it may very well cost Isaac, but there was a reason behind all of this. What appeared to be sadism, was in all actuality…, grace. Somehow, someway, something good was going to come of this. Abraham just needed to be faithful.
When they arrived, Abraham took the wood off Isaac’s back. Together, father and son built and piled the wood around the alter for the offering. Tears now filed both of their eyes. Isaac realized a while back, that indeed, he was the offering. He had wished it wasn’t so, as did his dad, but surely now, this was it. Like his dad he had many of the same troubling questions and feelings brewing inside of him. He thought about the many things in life that he was going to miss, but because he loved his dad, honored his dad, and wanted to be obedient to his dad, he submitted. He didn’t like it, he didn’t want to do it, but he did it. With a simple "I love you dad," "I love you to son and please forgive me," Isaac climbed and willingly laid himself on the alter.
Abraham took some rope and tied Isaac to the alter. "Why the binding?" you ask. Because although Isaac was up until this point a reluctant, yet willing participant in this drama, he was still human. No human in his or her right mind would lay still to be consumed by a fire or to be stabbed in the chest without a fight. After binding Isaac, slowly Abraham took the dagger from it’s sheath. His mind racing, his body numb, his stomach turning, his heart breaking, his eyes burning with sweet and tears, his faith tried to it’s very limits, he raises the dagger above his head. Just as he gets to the point of no return, he hears that voice again.
"ABRAHAM!!!!"
"What do you want now God? I’m here, but please don’t make me do this.!!!"
"That’s enough Abraham. Don’t harm one hair on that boy’s head. Cut him loose and put the knife down. You have shown me what I needed to see. Most importantly Abraham you have shown yourself and me that you do love, appreciate, honor, fear, and believe in me. Abraham, I want you to know, that if there was any other way I could have done this, I would have. But Abraham, you and I both know, that I had to get you to turn over that in which you held most dear. I don’t want, nor did I ever want you to harm the boy. But, I wanted you to show me and yourself where I stand in your life. Open your eyes Abraham."
As Abraham opened his eyes, he looked around him and saw over in the thicket a ram caught by it’s horns. He untied Isaac, kissed him on both cheeks and forehead, held him an embrace that only a father and son could experience and appreciate for what seemed like an eternity, and then father and son went over and caught the ram. Upon that alter they sacrificed the ram as a burnt offering together signifying that they were both turning themselves completely and totally over to God. Before they left to return home, they named the place Jehovah Jireh which means "The Lord Will Provide." After one final "Let’s try not to talk to much about this around mom, she may not quite understand," the rest so they say is church history. It was after this moment, that the blessings began to flow like water for Abraham, Isaac, and the rest of their descendents. "Why?" you ask. Simply because Abraham held nothing back from God.
What do we have to learn from drama some 4-6000 years later? I believe that we to are like Abraham. He was human as are we. He had struggles, pains, sins, joys, and blessings as do we. At this point in Abraham’s life, he was wanting to serve God as do most of us. At this point in Abraham’s life, he was arguably experiencing the greatest spiritual turmoil he had or would ever experience. Abraham was in his greatest spiritual funk. But, Abraham needed to learn something as do we. He needed and we need to learn and we must always remember that if we are to relate with God, we must do it on God’s terms. His terms are that he wants us totally and completely. He has given us a free will as he has all of humanity. We can choose to relate with him or not to relate with him. Abraham could have walked the other way, but the consequences would have terrible. We too can walk the other way from God’s call in our life, and the consequences are just as devastating.
Nevertheless, God wants us to relate with him freely, out of love, honor, and respect for him, and not just to avoid the negative consequences. But if we are going to relate with God, it must be on his terms. We cannot put anything, even a blessing or promise from him, before him. If we are his children. If we have given ourselves to him freely and unconditionally, and if we have put him first, he will take care of us in every aspect of our lives. You want to have a deeper relationship and closer walk with the Lord? You want strength to help get you through those times in which you are your most spiritually vulnerable? Then turn everything you have over to him and let him have control. Let God; Let Jesus be Lord of your life. This is our test of faith. Are you going to pass? Let us pray.
