God made the seemingly abhorrent request of Abraham- to sacrifice his son Issac- as the final test of his worship. Abraham follows his request up until the point where God himself shows mercy, allowing an animal to be sacrificed in the place of his “loved” son. Although the request appears brutal, God- and God alone- ultimately holds domain over the sanctity of human life. Had any other person issued the request or Abraham acted alone than there would be little separating him from that of Cain. In God’s initial address to Abram he declares, “I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth” (Gen. 13:14). God raised humanity from the dust and has the ability to return them to the ashes. Abraham, after establishing the covenant, is also reminded of God’s omnipotence after the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. But through the catastrophe, God once again shows mercy to those in kinship to Abraham as he saves Lot. Abraham, after observing God’s will and similar mercy, then obliges to the sacrifice with full understanding that God’s intentions are not his to judge.
Then as Abraham goes up the mountain with Issac, he utters that they both would return and tells Issac that God will “provide the lamb” for the offering. If Abraham were to not say these things, then Issac could have run off or his servants prevented the sacrifice. Yet Abraham knows that God’s request cannot be judged under his own moral eye, therefore does what he must. Saying that they both would return, Abraham knew God would allow for a way that Issac would come back with him- rather in spirit or in body is left ambiguous. God is the only one that can proclaim what Abraham said a lie, and as he was acting in accordance with his command, Abraham’s comments were not in vain. After complying with God’s ultimate request, Abraham is once again shown mercy. Abraham and the Lord remain praiseworthy as God has no direct intention for Abraham to indeed kill his son and Abraham is acting in accordance with God’s will – with an unrelenting knowledge that God will find a way for them both to still prosper.
Kathleen's Theology Blog 