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GENESIS 22–23; PSALM 16

Week 2, Day 5

When Abraham lifted the knife to kill Isaac, it would a triple murder. He would kill his son, his dream, the product of his faith. The enormity of the act is shown in the command: “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love” (22:2). Abraham had waited decades for God to fulfill the promise in this son; now he has been asked to destroy him. Even God’s miracle is not allowed to compete with God.

Abraham is faithful; and Isaac, who is strong enough to resist his aged father, cooperates with him. It is an awesome father-son partnership of faith. At the last moment, God’s angel intervenes. Generations later the writer of Hebrews will say that, “figuratively speaking,” Isaac was raised from the dead (Hebrews 11:19).

Abraham must have asked himself what kind of God it would be who would make such a monstrous request. He must also have wondered how God’s plan could be fulfilled with Isaac gone. But he believed in the face of all his questions. However much this man of faith may have faltered on other occasions, there is no apparent faltering here.

The story stumbles us. We claim to be troubled by its primitive quality, but what bothers us most is its insistence on an ultimate commitment. Our era is not comfortable with ultimate commitments—not in marriage, patriotism, friendship, or faith. It is hard to follow Abraham up this mountain because it is hard to be an ultimate disciple.

PRAYER: Grant me, O Lord, the grace to trust you with all of my being, for all of your purposes; in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Identify and describe a time in your faith pilgrimage when it seems you were called to an ultimate sacrifice.