Gen 22: The Binding of Isaac

This doesn't really capture the richness of our discussion of this vital passage. Just a few things I managed to jot down. Feel free to comment!

Recap of our Discussion on July 26, 2009
Genesis 22: 1-19
The Binding of Isaac


1. In 22:1-2 what phrases emphasize the importance and difficulty of God’s command?
- “your only son”
- “whom you love”
- “God tested” – a test is difficult.

2. What was God asking Abraham to give up by sacrificing Isaac (22:2, 17:4-8, 19)?
- He was asking him to give up his son.
- Plus giving up the descendants Isaac would have had.
- He is giving up a gift.
- Abraham accepted the task so willingly – this is alarming.

Additional comments:
- The story is a foreshadowing of God sacrificing Christ.
- God wants us to follow God’s law, which is “Love God and others” (all the other commandments are contained in that statement. Just like Prego spaghetti sauce – it’s all in there).

3. Describe some of the thoughts and emotions you would have if you were Abraham; Sarah; Isaac.

Abraham:
- Confused.
- Torn between trusting God and the love of my only son.
- If I were Abraham, I wouldn’t do it; it is too much to ask.
- I would think I was just hearing things.
- Abraham never expected to go through with it. He used logic and knew that God loves Isaac and wouldn’t carry it out.
- But then it’s not a test.

Isaac:
- confused.
- Would he trust his father after that?
Isaac knew how committed his father was to the Lord
Isaac learned that when the Lord makes a promise he keeps it

Sarah:
Probably wasn’t told what was going on.

4. Compare Abraham’s response to God’s intentions in Gen 18:22-33 with Abraham’s response to God’s command here in 22:1-19.
In Gen 18 Abraham negotiated with God over Sodom. If Abraham had negotiated here in Chapter 22, then the story would not be making the point about trust. So a negotiation does not fit with the point of this story.

5. What did Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac prove (22:12)?
- He was willing to follow God’s orders.
- Obedience.
- That he had respect for the Lord.
- What if Abraham had disobeyed? Did Abraham think he would be punished?
- A question – what was Abraham’s belief about life after death?

6. How did God respond to Abraham’s willingness (22:11-18)?
- God made Abraham go to the very edge of sacrifice.
-God stopped Abraham from sacrificing Isaac.
- God accepted a substitute (like Christ).
- The promise to Abraham is repeated.
- Did the promises God gave before this chapter include “taking over the land of your enemies.”??

7. What does this episode reveal about God (22:1-2, 12-18)?
- God is consistently cranky.
- God is demanding in vv 1 & 2, merciful in 12-18.
- God is good for his word – He keeps a promise.
- It is impossible to understand God’s motive.
- God is a little jealous of Isaac – God needs to know that Abraham loves the Lord more than Abraham loves Isaac.

8. Why do you think this story is in the Bible?
- To reinforce the covenant.
- To illustrate trust, faith, willingness to obey.
- Political – to reinforce the Hebrews’ claims that the covenant passes through Isaac and to justify taking the land from their enemies.

9. What is the test (22:1)? Who/what is being tested?
- Abraham’s faith is being tested.
- The point of the story is trust
- No, the point of the story is faith

10. What happened to Isaac at the end of the story? (Read Gen 22:19, Gen 24:62, Gen 24:67)
- Isaac was the next step in the fulfillment of God’s promise.
- He went back with his father.
- We don’t know if he still had a good relationship with his father after this incident.

Genesis 21: Birth of Isaac; Hagar and Ishamel Sent Away

A recap of our discussion
of Genesis 21
on 7/19/09

Some questions that came out of our discussion:
Did Moses write the first five books of the Bible?
Why is it that people in the Bible always go up on a mountain to speak to God?

The birth of Isaac
How Sarah feels, after Isaac is born: Disbelief. Giddy. Tired. Joyful.
How can Sarah and Abraham’s experience encourage us to be more patient while we wait for prayers to be answered? - S &A didn’t have patience, and that made a mess! ... The secret to patience is to do something while you wait.
Who was laughing? Whose was the joke? Sarah laughs, Abraham laughs. It is God’s joke on A & S.

Hagar and Ishmael are sent away
Sarah’s motive for sending H & I away – it could be jealousy, maternal instinct, she could see that there would be friction between the two sons, she wanted her son to have the birthright, rather than the firstborn. Footnote said that the treatment of Hagar was in accordance with the Code of Hammurabi, ancient lawbook.

From God’s point of view, H & I had to be sent away because: maybe in order to relieve household tension. “When Sarah ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.”

If we were in Sarah’s place, it would be hard to do what she did. Maybe the events didn’t unfold the way God intended them to, but God used the situation for his purposes. Sarah seems fickle, competitive.

God didn’t really exclude Ishmael. God thought it would turn out differently than it did.

Genesis 20: Abe and Abimelech

A recap of our discussion:
Abraham does not give priority to the covenant with God. He fears for his life, and tries to save his own skin. But then, from his point of view, how would God's promise be fulfilled if Abraham gets killed? We thought that it was a natural reaction to try to save your own life. We had a rendition of a song "NEver make a pretty woman your wife" (the real root of Abe's problem?)

God, on the other hand, took action to protect the covenant and not derail the promise of an heir for Abraham and Sarah. God realized limitations, and moreover, prevented Abimilech from sinning.

Was it acceptable for a godly man to deceive pagans because they did not fear God? Various opinions: A godly man shouldn't have to deceive anyone. If pagans are threatening you, deceiving them is okay.

Why didn't God abandon Abraham and just pick someone else? The group's consensus: there wasn't anybody else better.