Abraham's Sacrifice

[brightfuture2172]

I was reading about Abraham's sacrifice today. It was a significant portion of chapter to me a number of years ago, re: obedience. Talk about obedience. Today I read it again and thought of it from Isaac's perspective. It doesn't say how old/young he was. Maybe God did it when he did so that Isaac wouldn't understand what was being done. Otherwise, wouldn't that have scarred Isaac - having a fearful moment that his father might sacrifice him? I actually got mad at God for this possibility. What was He thinking? Clearly, I need a proper perspective on this. God doesn't harm people the way humans harm one another. Any thoughts on this?

 

[Job8]

Maybe God did it when he did so that Isaac wouldn't understand what was being done. Otherwise, wouldn't that have scarred Isaac - having a fearful moment that his father might sacrifice him?

Since Isaac was asked to carry the load of wood, it would appear that he was a young man, possibly a strapping young person. Isaac knew two things (a) that his father Abraham loved him dearly, and (b) that Abraham loved and obeyed God above everything else. So when Isaac was placed on the altar, he was fully aware that it was God who had commanded Abraham to place him on the altar.

But Abraham had also assured Isaac that God would provide Himself a lamb, so this was a very unusual situation, and Isaac would not have been "scarred" at all. Isaac was also a believer and knew that God had a plan and purpose for everything that transpired. On the other hand, Abraham was convinced that even if he did go through with the sacrifice of his son, God would resurrect Isaac and restore him to Abraham (see Hebrews 11).

 

[brightfuture2172]

Thank you! That was great.

 

[JackRT]

If God was testing Abraham then Abraham failed the test badly. The Bible records no further contact between Abraham and either Isaac or Sarah. Can't say I blame them.

 

[brightfuture2172]

How did he fail the test? I think he passed the obedience test with flying colors.

 

[JackRT]

How did he fail the test? I think he passed the obedience test with flying colors.

What kind of God would demand that a parent murder his or her own child? What kind of parent would obey? Perhaps it was a passing pagan or atheist who happened by and stayed his hand? To me, this is one of the very ugliest passages of scripture.

 

[Job8]

If God was testing Abraham then Abraham failed the test badly. The Bible records no further contact between Abraham and either Isaac or Sarah. Can't say I blame them.

Where did you come up with this fictitious account? Certainly not from the Bible.

 

[Soyeong]

I was reading about Abraham's sacrifice today. It was a significant portion of chapter to me a number of years ago, re: obedience. Talk about obedience. Today I read it again and thought of it from Isaac's perspective. It doesn't say how old/young he was. Maybe God did it when he did so that Isaac wouldn't understand what was being done. Otherwise, wouldn't that have scarred Isaac - having a fearful moment that his father might sacrifice him? I actually got mad at God for this possibility. What was He thinking? Clearly, I need a proper perspective on this. God doesn't harm people the way humans harm one another. Any thoughts on this?

The same word used to describe Isaac is used to describe Joshua when he was in his 40's. If there isn't a time gap between Genesis 22 and 23, then Sarah died during the same time at the age of 127 (Genesis 23:1), which would put Isaac at the age of 37 because she was 90 when he was born (Genesis 17:17). Someone who is 137 can't bind someone who is 37 against their will, and according to Jewish Midrash, if you take that with a grain of salt, they say that Isaac actually asked Abraham to bind him so that in his fear he would not move and cause the sacrifice to be invalid.

This story is about the incredible faith of Abraham and Isaac who believed God over anything else in this world. He knew God well enough to discern His voice and didn't hesitate to obey Him, but rose early the next morning to leave. Abraham knew that God had promised that many decendants would come through Isaac, so he reasoned that even if he killed Isaac, that God would raise him from the dead:

Hebrews 11:17-19 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, 18 of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 19 He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.

Genesis 22:13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son.

There is some wordplay going on because when Abraham looked, the word used in relation to space means in the distance, but in relation to time means in the future. And indeed, Abraham saw Jesus' day and was glad:

John 8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.”

Abraham is the father of our faith and we are to have the faith of Abraham (Romans 4:16), so to believe in Jesus means that we are to believe God's voice above anything else in this world. Isaac was offered at the very same place that Jesus was put to death and there are many incredible parallels between this story and what Jesus did for us, so God concealed in it His whole plan of redemption.

I invite you to listen to the 11th lesson (Vayera II) in a sermon series about finding the Messiah in Genesis.

http://rabbiyeshua.com/audio-teachings/the-torah/torah-genesis

 

[Fireinfolding]

Here is a thread of things showing what God was doing through Abraham (having preached the gospel before to Him (there are other things) but I thought I would just add these to see Christ better

Galations 3:8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

It says God has spoken by the prophets and shows howso

Hosea 12:10 I have also spoken by the prophets,
and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets.

Abraham being a prophet Gen 20:7 would show the same

These speaking of our salvation

1 Peter 1:10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:

1 Peter 1:11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.

As Hebrews says,

The law having shadow of the good things to come not the very image of things can be shown in Abraham

As Paul says of Abrahams things (or his two sons by two women)

Galations 4:24 Which things are an allegory:

These two women are two covenants

Galations 4:22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons,
the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.

Gal 4:23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh ;
but he of the freewoman was by promise

God using similitudes by the ministry of the prophets as Hebrews shows the divers manner God by them

Heb 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

But now God

Heb 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds

And of Jesus Christ it is also written how he too would speak

Psalm 78:2 I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: (Mark 4:13, Mat 13:35-36 & example of one Luke 20:17)

Similitudes (before by the prophets) a parable (after by His Son) yet in a parable of the things (of old)

And after Christ ascended (of whom they testisfied of) the Holy Ghost shall teach you all things

As the Paul said,

1 Cr 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

So there is the comparing between the two things, whereas it also says,

From there you can go into casting out the bondwoman
(Hagar/ Mount Sinai) and her son

Since the righteousness of God (Jesus Christ the Lord) "without" the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

As Jesus said, they are they which testify of me
(Who was made unto us righteousness)

Which shows things in Isaac pointing forward in Christ

Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering,
and laid it upon Isaac his son; (Cross)

Who offered up his only begotten son (His only begotten)

Of whom it was said,
That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:

Abraham accounting that God was able to raise him up ,
even **from the dead** (faith in the operation of God)

And **from whence** also
he received him **in a figure** (having shadow)

**Him**God raised up the third day, (Christ Jesus)
and **shewed him openly** (the resurrection from the dead)

Or this way,

Gen 22:7 And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father,
and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son.
And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but **where is the lamb** for a burnt offering?

Keeping in mind, The law having **shadow of** good things to come, and not the very image of the things

Gen 22:8 And Abraham said, My son,
God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering:
so they went both of them together.

The law prophesied until John where we see

John 1:36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!

God provided himself a lamb
(in a picture of His own Son) upon whom was placed the wood

And Paul writes,

Romans 8:2 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

God having preached before the gospel unto Abraham

What was shown in a figure beforehand (in the prophets)
God did show openly (in Jesus Christ)

Gal 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made.
He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

Gal 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed,
and heirs according to the promise.

Thats not all that can be seen but there it might help show Jesus Christ according to how it is written along these lines as found in that account.

I really have to do this one over because Im never happy with how I put this out for some reason or another, but maybe it might help in someway. If not just bypass it.

Peace In Christ

 

[JackRT]

Where did you come up with this fictitious account? Certainly not from the Bible.

My first sentence "If God was testing Abraham then Abraham failed the test badly." is of course my personal interpretation. I'd like to be wrong but I have seen no explanation that satisfies me.

My second sentence "The Bible records no further contact between Abraham and either Isaac or Sarah." is perfectly true biblically.

What part is fictitious?

 

[2PhiloVoid]

I was reading about Abraham's sacrifice today. It was a significant portion of chapter to me a number of years ago, re: obedience. Talk about obedience. Today I read it again and thought of it from Isaac's perspective. It doesn't say how old/young he was. Maybe God did it when he did so that Isaac wouldn't understand what was being done. Otherwise, wouldn't that have scarred Isaac - having a fearful moment that his father might sacrifice him? I actually got mad at God for this possibility. What was He thinking? Clearly, I need a proper perspective on this. God doesn't harm people the way humans harm one another. Any thoughts on this?

Isaac was "scarred," but in a way that promoted his reverence for God. Isaac was taken by surprise in the event of "the Akedah," but came out of that experience knowing that God means serious business in carrying out His providence and plans for the salvation of humanity. It is also through Isaac that the Promise of God's salvation for humanity continued after Abraham.

It is because Isaac was "scarred" by the above experience that I believe God is referred to as the "Fear of Isaac" in Genesis 31:42 and Genesis 31:53. Isaac feared God because he know that God could possibly ask of us some very, very challenging things. Isaac also knew that in some respect, God loves Him and gave his life 'back' to him.

As Christians, what WE should take away from "the Akedah" is that there are several confluent meanings all wrapped up in Abraham's obedience to God through faith, and in Isaac's subjection as an "innocent sacrifice," all of which point typologically to Jesus' advent as Messiah and as God's Sacrificial Lamb for the sins of the world.

2PhiloVoid

 

[Job8]

My first sentence "If God was testing Abraham then Abraham failed the test badly." is of course my personal interpretation. I'd like to be wrong but I have seen no explanation that satisfies me.

You are mistaken on both counts. Please note:
ABRAHAM BLESSED FOR PASSING THE TEST
And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice. (Gen 22:16-18).

My second sentence "The Bible records no further contact between Abraham and either Isaac or Sarah." is perfectly true biblically.

SARAH LIVED WITH ABRAHAM FOR AT LEAST ANOTHER 72 YEARS
And Sarah was an hundred and seven and twenty years old: these were the years of the life of Sarah. And Sarah died in Kirjatharba; the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan: and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her. (Gen 22:1,2)
To claim that there was "no contact" with his own wife for whom he mourned and wept borders on the ludicrous.

ISAAC BECAME ABRAHAM'S HEIR
And Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac. (Gen 25:5)
How does one give everything to one's heir without any contact?

When we read the Bible we must see that some things are stated explicitly, while some things are implied.

 

[Soyeong]

SARAH LIVED WITH ABRAHAM FOR AT LEAST ANOTHER 72 YEARS
And Sarah was an hundred and seven and twenty years old: these were the years of the life of Sarah. And Sarah died in Kirjatharba; the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan: and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her. (Gen 22:1,2)
To claim that there was "no contact" with his own wife for whom he mourned and wept borders on the ludicrous.

Sarah cave birth to Isaac at the age of 90 and died at 127, which means that even if this incident happened immediately afterward and Abraham had an infant carry the wood, that they lived together for a max of 37 more years. The Bible speaks against child sacrifice, so it was unlikely that he was still a child when this happened, which means it was likely less than 37 years. We are not given the time gap between Genesis 22 and Genesis 23 or even that there is a time gap between them, so they lived together 0-37 more years depending on how old Isaac was when this happened. There is a tradition that Sarah died from grief over this incident.

 

[JackRT]

To claim that there was "no contact" with his own wife for whom he mourned and wept borders on the ludicrous.

None is recorded in the bible just as I said.

How does one give everything to one's heir without any contact?

Easily done and not infrequent.