Abraham & Isaac

I LOVE MY LITERATURE AND THE BIBLE CLASS. Ok, with that said, let's discuss what I learned about today! Our class was on "reading between the lines of the Bible." He told us that 90% of the story is not in the written words but that we have to ask questions and really dig deep into the meanings, emotions, feelings, and implications that the stories have. Today we dissected the story of Abraham and Isaac (the sacrifice part). What a treat! Really, I always liked the story, but today I loved it. It sure makes a difference when you try and jump into the story.

Just some points we talked about today that could make for interesting discussion if you all have time one day:

* let's think about Sarah here... how did she feel?
*Abraham's neighbors were most likely still practicing human sacrifice (this was during the time that human sacrifice was really turning over to animal sacrifice, but human sacrifice, nonetheless, was still being practiced). Abraham likely had doubts about having to sacrifice his only son, his promised son, but maybe the thought came to him, "Do I love my God as much as my neighbors their heathen Gods?"
*Other possible thought from Abraham: What did I do wrong? Is this a punishment? What do I need to repent of? (sacrifice was a form of repentance)
*Burnt sacrifices were NOT a pretty thing. We discussed what Isaac and Abraham were likely thinking about as they climbed Mount Moriah... this is how our teacher described the burnt offerings of the time:
- cut the sacrifice's throat and let it drain into a basin
- with a reed (or something similar) you have to take the blood and shake it around... all over the altar, all over the sacrifice, all over the sacrificer. What a horrible thought for a loving father!
- quarter the sacrifice
- separate the entrails and burn some and let others stay out for the birds

ok, that's enough details about what is a sacrifice. Suffice it to say, it was not a pleasant experience and the thought of having to do that to his son was probably nearly unbearable.

*Isaac was likely around 35 years old... and Abraham 135 years old.
*Parallels to Christ's ultimate sacrifice: Isaac is really the main focal point here
- Isaac was the only son
- they went to the mountain on the 3rd day (symbolism with the #3)
- Isaac had to carry the wood that would be used as part of the sacrifice (Christ carried His cross)
- Isaac was looking for Abraham at one point and had to call out to him (left alone)
- Isaac was willing and trusting
- 2 servants were left at the bottom of the mountain... disciples were left outside of Gethsemane.

*Abraham was almost sacrificed as a child and an angel intervened. I think that he probably had hope that the same thing would happen. Being a prophet, however, I am sure that he saw the parallels between what he was asked to do and what would happen with Christ (he knew the prophecies). It is also interesting to consider that Christ is the God of the old testament and that he was very much involved in this, Abraham's (and Isaac's) test. But the difference between this test and the test that He endured was that He had to "drink the cup" and make the sacrifice.

*Why would God ask this of Abraham? They were friends! Abraham was God's main prophet on the earth and had given him so many promises! We came up with a lot of theories. Maybe Abraham needed to see the evidence of his own faith so that he would be stronger for it, maybe God wanted him to understand the sacrifice of Christ more fully. Maybe we understand the atonement better by reading about this struggle.

*It says that God "tempted" Abraham (although this is changed in the JS translation)... but we can find comfort in this because we know that we will "never be tempted above that which we are able." God knew Abraham could do it.

Well, that is all I'm going to write about tonight because it's BEDTIME. If you have any comments - feel free to share!

Oh, & side note: in Hebrew, "Adam" means "man" or "dirt"... we all come from the dirt. Interesting, eh?