Genesis Roots: Abraham sacrifices Isaac but God saves him!

This week we continue my summer lectionary series called. "Genesis Roots."  The word genesis means origin, beginning, or birth.  Root, in the context in which I'm writing, means essential core or source of life. In a way, the roots of the story of monotheistic faith rest in the stories we find in Genesis.

If you are unfamiliar with the story of Abraham (and Sarah) you may want to take some time and begin reading in Genesis 12 (then skip to chapters 15, 16, 17, 18:1-15, then skip to 21) to get a look at their marriage and their deep desire for a son through which God would build a great nation.  God said to Abraham in Genesis 15:5 "Look up at the stars, and try to count them all if you can. There are too many to count! Your descendants will be as many as the stars."   In the end Abraham has 2 sons upon which 2 nations are built:  Ishmael, whose name means God hears, is ancestor to the Ishmaelites, the Arab people.  Isaac, whose name means one who laughs, is ancestor to the Israelites, the Jewish people.

Last week's story,  Abraham and Sarah banish Hagar and Ishmael to the desert but God saves them, seemed to me an act of brutal "sacrifice," sanctioned by God no less, involving Abraham's firstborn son, Ishmael, of Hagar the Egyptian slave-woman.  This week we find Abraham once again ready to make a sacrifice to God.  The text says, God was "testing" Abraham's fidelity to God by calling upon him to sacrifice Isaac, his "only" son (of the covenant promise) in the eyes of God.  Abraham is ready to kill him with a knife to the throat before making him a burnt offering to pass God's "test."

To set the scene for this Abraham and Isaac passage, read Genesis 22:1-3 (NET)

Some time after these things God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am!” Abraham replied. God said, “Take your son—your only son, whom you love, Isaac—and go to the land of Moriah! Offer him up there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains which I will indicate to you.”  Early in the morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took two of his young servants with him, along with his son Isaac. When he had cut the wood for the burnt offering, he started out for the place God had spoken to him about.

Abraham seems to be quite obedient to anyone willing to tell him what to do ... that is how it seems in the biblical text.  I find it interesting that Abraham, who has negotiated with God over God's plans to destroy the people of Sodom (Genesis 18:22-33), doesn't say one word to God about killing his son.  Really?  However, I suppose his faith must be much deeper than I understand.

In Hebrews 11:17, we read "By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac. He who had received the promises was ready to offer up his only son ..."  Even though I can read the words and understand what they are saying, I've never understood how God could ask that of a man and how that man could obey.  This verse really puts the concept of "testing" in the context of faith ... deep, deep faith. 

• Have you ever felt that God was "testing" your faith?  
• How did you know it was God calling you into a time of testing?
• How did you respond in faith to God in the midst of the test?  
• How did your time of testing strengthen your faith in God? 
• If you can't recall a time you felt that God was "testing" your faith, how do you think you would respond in a way that would strengthen your faith and not destroy it?

When you have pondered God's testing in your own life and how that testing has impacted your faith, I invite you to spend a few moments preparing your heart to worship God as you engage with the text via Lectio Divina.   Breathe deeply and envision God’s Spirit filling you with the ability to trust God's word with each breath you take!  Settle into a place of confidence within yourself with a simple breath prayer.  Use this one or create your own.

Breathe in (who do you worship?)   ... Faithful God
Breathe out (what do you need?)     ... Strengthen my Faith

and when you are ready to move deeper into the text, pray ... Faithful God, sometimes I don't understand the ways of the most faithful people in the bible.  I don't understand Abraham the father.  His depth of faith eludes me.  Strengthen me, strengthen my faith as I trust you in the small daily steps I take in life and in the big moments of life, moments when I am tempted to wonder where you are.   In Christ, Amen.  

Step 1: Lectio … Reading

Read  Genesis 22:4-14 (NET) slowly, taking in the story that is unfolding.
Listen for a word or phrase that catches your attention.
Silently focus on that word or phrase or perhaps an image that is forming.
Sit with your word or phrase or image for as long as seems good to you.
Allow it to sift through your heart and mind.
Let the story come alive in your soul through that word, phrase, image.

Click here to read in original Lectio Version: The VOICE Bible
On the third day Abraham caught sight of the place in the distance. So he said to his servants, “You two stay here with the donkey while the boy and I go up there. We will worship and then return to you.”

Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and put it on his son Isaac. Then he took the fire and the knife in his hand, and the two of them walked on together. Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father?” “What is it, my son?” he replied. “Here is the fire and the wood,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” “God will provide for himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son,” Abraham replied. The two of them continued on together.

When they came to the place God had told him about, Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood on it. Next he tied up his son Isaac and placed him on the altar on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out his hand, took the knife, and prepared to slaughter his son. But the Lord’s angel called to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am!” he answered. “Do not harm the boy!” the angel said. “Do not do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God because you did not withhold your son, your only son, from me.”

Abraham looked up and saw behind him a ram caught in the bushes by its horns. So he went over and got the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. And Abraham called the name of that place “The Lord provides.” It is said to this day, “In the mountain of the Lord provision will be made.”

Step 2: Meditatio … Receiving
Continue to focus on your word or phrase or image.
Pay attention to the thoughts and feelings it evokes.
What memories come to your mind?
Ask God to continue to speak to you and reveal your path.
Listen and watch for God’s faithful presence as you move through your day

Step 3: Oratio … Responding
Consider any desires that have been awakened by your prayer
Perhaps you have found an area of your life that needs attention
Do not rush ... wait and listen as God forms your prayers and desires

Step 4: Contempatio … Resting
Allow your word, phrase or image to fall away ... 
Allow yourself to rest in the silence ...

If images are a pathway to God for you, you may want to pray while "gazing" upon this painting of Abraham, Isaac, and the Messenger of God.  How does this image resonate with what has arisen within you?

"The Angel Stays Abraham's Hand," painting at the Monastery of Narga Selassie, Dek Island, Lake Tana, Ethiopia. Late 18th century.  Photo by A. Davey, originally posted on Flickr and shared on Wikimedia Commons via Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic License

To end your time of praying with scripture, pray this prayer of Teresa of Avila, 16th century Christian mystic:

“May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, 

and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones, 

and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.”
Amen.