Living in the Spirit

June 22, 2020

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.’. . .  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.

When they came to the place that God had shown him, Abraham built an altar there and laid the wood in order. He bound his son Isaac, and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to kill his son. But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven, and said, ‘Abraham, Abraham!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’ He said, ‘Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.’ And Abraham looked up and saw a ram, caught in a thicket by its horns. Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt-offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place ‘The Lord will provide’; as it is said to this day, ‘On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.’ –Genesis 22:1-2, 7-14

Micah asked the pertinent question, What does the Lord require of you? He then provided the answer, but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Before this very familiar discourse in a listing of things God might ask of God’s followers is the question, Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul*?’

The firstborn, particularly in Abraham’s culture, was the heir apparent. There was no equal distribution among all the children. Isaac was not Abraham’s firstborn. Ismael was, but Isaac was the chosen heir because he was the son of the rightful wife and Ismael, the son of a handmaiden. In my genealogy work, I have enjoyed reading some of the detailed wills of my ancestors that include bushels of wheat to one son, a container of potatoes to another. Daughters even got some things. I do not know when the oldest son’s inheritance standard changed. Jesus is noted as being Mary’s firstborn son. Filicide, the killing of one’s own child, was not uncommon in the time of Abraham. Child sacrifice was practiced in many early cultures.

I have read several attempts by theologians to explain this scripture. Some tend toward, we must get our priorities straight, and our worship of God is our highest priority. Others emphasize that the story indicates God demands and tests absolute loyalty. These seem to be the same idea coming from different directions.

I think it is the story of a devout God follower finding his way, perhaps testing himself, as we all struggle to do what the Lord requires of us. Abraham eventually understands that God does not expect Abraham to sacrifice his son. That decision illustrates justice, mercy, and walking humbly as a servant of God.

Prayer: Lord, walk with us as we find our way in serving you more nearly in a challenging world. Amen.

*Micah 6:8

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.