So, why did he (almost) do it? I can’t be the only person to think that Abraham showed a certain lack of gumption when instructed by God to sacrifice his son, Isaac. Now, I know how that’s supposed to show his resignation to God’s will and all that, but not even to ask God if He was quite sure? Even as a child I thought there was something odd about this, and my opinion didn’t change over the years.
However, reading about the culture of the Near East in Abraham’s time, I discovered that the gods people worshipped were, shall we say, thirsty. To ensure the success of an enterprise, or in payment for favours received, the gods expected payment. Thus we read in the Old Testament of children ‘passed through the fire’ to Moloch and of Agamemnon sacrificing his daughter Iphigeneia to Artemis.
Suddenly, the story of Abraham and Isaac becomes much clearer. Abraham has been brought to a new land, and promised that he shall be a father of a great nation. Naturally, God will want his cut. Everything Abraham has known in his time and cultures suggests that. So how can he demur when God asks for His portion? The surprise is that God stops Abraham from killing Isaac.
For God is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Moloch, one suspects, has a different home.
Seems to me that the difficulty we have understanding this story, reveals our lack of faith in God. If we are completely sure that God is all-loving and all-wise, then we will know that whatever He asks us to do is glorious, no matter how strange it may seem to our puny minds. And everyone will benefit, including the sacrificee.
Posted by: merry | September 07, 2005 at 01:30 PM
That is very interesting. Understanding the story that way throws light on one's own faith and trust in God. Or should I say lack of it. Mine contrasts greatly with Abraham's. Your comment, Merry, has made me think. Thank you.
Posted by: Harry | September 07, 2005 at 07:36 PM
That is very interesting. Understanding the story that way throws light on one's own faith and trust in God. Or should I say lack of it. Mine contrasts greatly with Abraham's. Your comment, Merry, has made me think. Thank you.
Posted by: Harry | September 07, 2005 at 07:42 PM
I have been told by a Jewish friend of mine that there exists a body of rabbinical opinion that though God was indeed testing Abraham, Abraham flunked the test when he failed to tell God to take two asprin and call him in the morning if he still felt the same way.
Michael Cule.
Passing Agnostic
Posted by: Michael Cule | January 10, 2008 at 07:13 PM