JAN 23

Abraham has experienced the might of the Lord various times in the past, therefore he already is aware that his best interests are in following the Lord. Although the text clarifies that it was his fear of the powers of God that led him to nearly sacrifice his son, it would also make sense if Abraham’s self interests were also a motivating factor. Abraham knows that the Lord will provide for him all that has been promised, if and only if he remains obedient. For this reason, Abraham agrees to God’s request. Although he believes he is lying, Abraham and the boy both return as promised by Abraham in the beginning therefore God’s intervention atop the mountain caused Abraham’s lie to become the truth. The same situation occurs when Abraham informs his son, Isaac, that the sacrificial animal will be provided. In asking Abraham to sacrifice his only child, the Lord tests Abraham’s faith and obedience. He does this to ensure that Abraham is righteous and that he is fit to receive the bountiful lineage he is promised. I personally feel as if in this situation, both the Lord and Abraham are equally praiseworthy. Abraham is willing to sacrifice that which is possibly most important to him, his only son, and he can do so with the unrelenting trust and faith he has put in the Lord. This level of faith is not one which can so easily be reached, which is exactly why the sacrifice serves as such an effective means of confirming faith. I believe God is also praiseworthy in this situation because he has learned that he must evaluate carefully whether the humans he interacts with are genuine and right or not.