Living in the Spirit
June 26, 2017
Scripture Reading: Genesis 22:1-14
After these things God tested Abraham. He said to him, ‘Abraham!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’ He said, ‘Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt-offering on one of the mountains that I shall show you.’ So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac; he cut the wood for the burnt-offering, and set out and went to the place in the distance that God had shown him. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place far away. Then Abraham said to his young men, ‘Stay here with the donkey; the boy and I will go over there; we will worship, and then we will come back to you.’ Abraham took the wood of the burnt-offering and laid it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. So the two of them walked on together. Isaac said to his father Abraham, ‘Father!’ And he said, ‘Here I am, my son.’ He said, ‘The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for a burnt-offering?’ Abraham said, ‘God himself will provide the lamb for a burnt-offering, my son.’ So the two of them walked on together. –Genesis 22:1-8
Several years ago, I toured Thomas Jefferson’s home, Monticello, in Virginia. One of the things I saw was his Bible from which he had extracted all the parts with which he did not agree or like. I do not recall how he treated the above scripture, but if I were to edit a Bible, it would be one scripture I would leave out. I, however, do not see that as an option so I must deal with it. I have read several viewpoints and heard a fair number of sermons on Abraham’s willingness to offer Isaac as a sacrifice. One I recall suggested that God’s stopping Abraham from committing the act was the example that leads to ending child sacrifice prevalent in ancient times. Others build on Abraham’s passing God’s test, while some are sure that God does not put people to such tests.
As a former child welfare worker who encountered a parent who held her toddler’s legs and feet in boiling water to make her mind causing permanent damage and another parent who drown her child trying to wash the devil out of her, I have visceral, preconceived opinions related to such stories. Most related to mental health issues for which our society is not well prepared and does not seem to have the willingness to address.
That said, here is my take: Faith for most is a journey with low valleys and straight plains and high mountains. Our relationship with the Holy on that journey increases our ability to love one another, not only our neighbors but our parents, children, and spouses. Sometimes we have to prove our faith to ourselves. Sometimes we do have to change cultural norms. I take great hope in Abraham’s from the beginning having faith that ‘God himself will provide the lamb for a burnt-offering, my son.’
Prayer: Lord, we live in a complex world filled with pain and suffering. Help us create a society where our love commingled with your love enables wholeness. Amen.