TL;DR

The stopped sacrifice of Isaac was not about a gruesome God changing His mind; it was offering the next step in Abraham's maturity of faith. Today, can we offer to God what we so readily offer to our culture?

Abraham's Faith in Action

Why would a loving and just God command Abraham to perform a most gruesome act: giving God his son through a ritualistic sacrifice? How can a loving God even suggest such a terrible thing?

Yes, there are clear analogies to Christ’s role in our salvation and the suggestion that God ultimately offers reconciliation to such a degree that He would not ask of us. I will not dive into those themes. Instead, I want to approach this from a critical analysis of ancient culture and the validation of Abraham’s righteousness.

Throughout the Old Testament, there are many references to the continued practice of child sacrifice to fake gods, most commonly Molek. Archeology has revealed many altars and references to the practice across the globe. Therefore, it is not hard to fathom that child sacrifice existed in Abraham’s day. Remember, he came from a pagan family of idol fabricators. Though not explicitly mentioned in the Bible at this point in history, it’s not a far-reaching suggestion.

If we assume fake gods were being “honored” with such a terrible and precious offering, was Abraham willing to offer to his living God the same measure of respect as the misguided pagans offered their myths? Will the man counted as righteous match in his commitment to God what culture readily offered wooden statues? This command was one way to find out.

It is important to remember that Abraham already had several examples of obedience to God by this time. Leaving his family, following the animal sacrifices and self-circumcision, his intercession for Sodom and his nephew, Lot, are among that list. However, each of those previous acts of obedience came with promises of positive Returns on Investments. Blessed name, a son from a barren wife, salvation of Abraham’s family, and more. This sacrifice of Isaac, however, came with no promises. This was the first command from God to Abraham without the promise of a blessing.

Abraham had been obedient so often with the promise of reward. Would he still be obedient when he hears God’s call without the immediate promise of a blessing? Would Abraham remember God’s earlier words and faithful provision to trust God without those words and promises, now?

God’s “command” (quoted to define this verb not as an intention, just simply a direction) set the stage for Abraham to prove 2 things (among many): did Abraham revere God at least as much as this lost culture revered its idols, and was Abraham willing to obey God when prosperity and gain were not necessarily promised? Did Abraham find his utmost delight in God, or did he simply view God as his convenient genie?

Abraham proved his righteousness.

Apply It.

Hand it all back to Him

What impossible offering is God asking of you? What are you holding onto so tightly that He is calling you to offer to Him?

Perhaps, He will force you to choose between Him or the world so that you either grow closer to Him or further toward death. Perhaps, He will prove His faithfulness again only after you prove your faith is full in Him, first.

Either way, confront it bravely and be rewarded similarly to Abraham.

Farewell

If we want to see revival, we must fight for it. We fight not through weapons and violence, but against the principalities of this world by prayer. Be willing to offer all things to Christ and watch Him bless you as greatly as Abraham!