Who is Isaac, and why are you haunting me??

Byshopteacher

Abraham’s test

Just a few days ago, a friend shared an excerpt from a book they were reading.

…we must not make the mistake of thinking the story means all we have to do is be willing to part with our idols rather than actually leaving them behind. If Abraham had gone up the mountain, thinking “all I have to do is put Isaac on the altar and not really give him up,” he would’ve failed the test!”

and I haven’t been able to sleep well since because I had actually been replaying Abraham’s test in my mind that same very day even before they shared what’s written above

But first

Who’s Abraham and Isaac

In case you might not be familiar with this story, let me give you a very very brief overview and a simplified timeline to help understand Abraham and Isaac’s backstory
(you can find these stories in book of Genesis)

  • Abraham at age 75 God says he will have many offspring and grow a great nation
  • Age 85, and still no child. Abraham & wife Sarah take matters into own hands
  • Age 86, Ishmael was born to Abraham and Hagar (Sarah’s servant)
  • Age 99, Abraham and God meet, reassured Sarah (89 at this time) will birth a son
    (Abraham and Sarah laugh in disbelief)
  • Age 100, Isaac is born to Abraham and Sarah
  • Age 103, Ishmael and Hagar are sent away
  • Age 110 ~ 120ish? Abraham is ordered by God to offer up Isaac on altar as a sacrifice

What kind of test is this?

Can you see how desperate Abraham and Sarah wanted a son?
They waited a veeerry long time and even got impatient with God.

Abraham loved Ishmael since he was his first born son, but made the hard sacrifice to send away Ishmael and Hagar when family dynamics were getting bad.
And then is told by God to give up Isaac!? Does Abraham truly love God more than anyone/anything else??

I’m a parent of a young adult myself and when he moved to another state with his mom it wasn’t easy but I wasn’t losing him forever and I supported his choice. I can’t fathom what kind of thoughts, disbelief, anger, confusion, sorrow must’ve gone through Abraham and Sarah’s heads at prospect of losing Isaac.

There’s only 19 verses in Genesis 22 about this test but the movie His Only Son portrays what Abraham must’ve been battling inside and I think it’s worth a watch.
(Also helps shed some thoughts about Ishmael and Abraham too.)

My Isaac right now

I’m currently struggling to find companies to arrange Benji and Bailey’s journey to Papua New Guinea with me.

It’s discouraging to be told by a handful of companies that they can’t help. Trying to not giving up hope but it also makes me wonder, are Benji and Bailey my Isaac that God is asking me to sacrifice?

It was already hard enough to make that decision with my horse Little Girl when I signed up.

Surely you’d let me take the dogs with me? Right??

Our we at an disadvantage over Abraham?

Unlike Abraham, Isaac, and Sarah at the time, I know how their story ends. Despite the difficulty, Abraham shows his commitment to God all the way to the last moment until God sends an angel to stop Abraham from plunging the knife into Isaac!

But knowing there’s a happy ending also easily traps me in thinking God is loving and looks after all his children so He’ll give us a happy ending (interpretation: God, let’s cut a deal, this is how I want you to handle my predicament.)

As the quote from my friend reminds us, saying I’m willing is one thing, but if it comes to it and I must leave Benji and Bailey behind, can I really do it?? Am I choosing my family members above God?

When it’s time to be tested

I know there are parents out there that have gone through this test and have had to lose their Isaacs to illnesses, accidents, and other tragedies.

My grandfather experienced losing a daughter and a son to diseases. Wouldn’t he be thinking and praying for God to spare their lives like Isaac? After all, isn’t Jesus the sacrifice made for us just like the ram God provided Abraham to sacrifice in place of Isaac?
But their lives were not spared like Isaac’s in that moment.

If I find myself in their shoes, will I really be strong enough to believe that God’s plan is far greater than we can imagine and that He allowed these lives to be taken so good can come out of it?

Am I brave enough to let go and love God above anyone and anything else?

Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and with all your mind.'  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'
    - Matthew 22:37 - 39 (NIV)

Similar Posts