Here I Am! A Life of Obedience – Genesis 22:1-19
/Lectionary Readings for June 28, 2020
Genesis 22:1-19 Abraham’s Faith Tested / The Command to Sacrifice Isaac
Psalm 13 Prayer for Deliverance from Enemies
Romans 6:12-23 v13b use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.
Matthew 10:40-42 v42 And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.
Peace Quote #1 Rosa Parks
I would like to be remembered as a person who wanted to be free... so other people would be also free. ~ Rosa Parks
Peace Quote #2 Pope John Paul II
Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought. ~ Pope John Paul II
Any time I preach or lead a group, regardless of age, I start the same way. I’m going to say three short sentences. Please repeat each sentence, with enthusiasm.
God made me. God loves me. God has plans for me.
Preface to Today’s Scripture Reading
Today’s text is an ancient Bible story – the legend of Abraham obeying God’s command to sacrifice his son Isaac. It’s a troubling story that challenges us, and that may be a gross understatement. The story challenges how we understand our relationship with God. And it challenges how we approach Scripture and how we let it guide our thinking. It challenges us to reexamine our desire to follow God’s lead while also using our God-given common sense.
Please remember my comments from last week: don’t let the details distract you from the main concept of the story. As you read this tale, please don’t reject the story because of how unreasonable it seems. Rather, hear the concepts.
In today’s case, the main point is that when God speaks to us, we need to listen and follow God’s lead. And when we do, God provides what we need.
This week I have two classic paintings for you to consider. As I did last week, when I upload my blog post of today’s message, I’ll include links to each painting so you can see them in better detail.
This first image, Le sacrifice d'Isaac, is from a 17th century French painter. In many ways, this is a classic image that includes all of the key elements in today’s story. Note the bright, pretty colors. One oddity this painting makes evident – and should cause you to rightly question a literal acceptance of the historical accuracy of our text – is this: How could Abraham, who is now 115 or so years old, restrain his teenage son? My grandfathers were both strong men until their final years, but if they had tried to tie me up and slice my neck open… I would not have sat still for that. My other problem with this painting is that it’s… nice. Nice enough to hang on your living room wall. Nice enough for folks to say, “Oh what a wonderful painting of that famous story.” But it’s a horrible story, in many ways.
This second image, Sacrifice of Isaac from Rembrandt himself, has two elements that both draw me in and make me ill. The first is that it’s a dark image, not nearly as colorful as the last painting. This is a dark story. The second is a detail that you might not even notice, but it’s oh so personal, so intimate. Abraham’s left hand is covering Isaac’s mouth and nose as though Abraham is trying to muffle the screams from his beloved son. If he doesn’t hear the screams, will it be a bit less traumatic to… execute God’s command?
As you begin to read today’s text, take comfort in the first sentence: “After these things God tested Abraham.” This is the author’s way of informing listeners that everything is going to be OK. WE know this is a test, but the character of Abraham does not. In the spirit of great storytelling and literature, we can be challenged without being repulsed.
Let’s open our ears, minds, and hearts to today’s readings.
Read Genesis 22:1-19
During our Bible Study this week, someone asked me, “If someone from our congregation came up to you and said that they believed God told them to sacrifice their son, how would you respond?” It’s a fair question considering this week’s text. I have two options:
First and foremost, I’d need to determine if the person is serious or just blowing off some steam because their teenage son was acting like… an ungrateful, overly confident, knuckle headed, teenage son.
If they’re serious, then I must call the local police and child welfare departments. Seriously. As a pastor, I am legally considered a “mandated reporter.” While the exact laws vary from state to state, in California, “All persons who are mandated reporters are required, by law, to report all known or suspected cases of child abuse or neglect.” This also applies to adults – especially adults with diminished physical and/or mental capacities. I can keep secrets until the day I die. But if I think someone has harmed or is likely to harm themselves or another person, I must report that. If I don’t, I could be sued and/or go to jail. And none of us want that!
My second option on how to respond is what you’re more likely to hear. If someone shares with me that they think God is telling them something that sounds unhealthy, I’ll ask this question a pastor once asked me: “Is that something a loving, caring parent would say to their beloved child?” If not, it’s probably not God talking to you. God may lead you into difficult situations – being light in dark places – but God has no desire for you to suffer. Far too many of us beat ourselves up inside our own heads. I’ll deal with insecurities, neglect, and self-abuse in another message. For now, just remember that God loves you dearly and wants the best for you.
Which brings us back to today’s story that, on the surface, does NOT seem to convey that concept. To appreciate the timeless value of this Jewish legend, we need to keep a few concepts in mind.
First, this is a 4,000+ year old theology and morality lesson that has been handed down through the millennia to shape our beliefs.
I mean absolutely no disrespect to Scripture, but to give us perspective of both the time frame and the intent, consider that Greek myths including Aesop's Fables are now 2,500+ years old. The legendary stories of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table are over 500 years old. And the classic children’s story Little Red Riding Hood is over 300 years old. We continue sharing those stories – as well as our own family legends – with our children and grandchildren to teach them life’s deeper truths. And when kids ask about specific details, we gently explain, “That’s not what’s important.” And then we explain the moral of the story. The truths within those stories make them as real as you and me. “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.”
I think it’s something of a miracle that the Torah – the first five books of the Hebrew Bible (and our Bible) have remained so intact for all these millennia. We’ve shared their stories with our kids and debated their multiple levels of meanings with each other for every one of those many years. I find that wonderfully fascinating and exciting!
So what truths can we find in today’s deeply disturbing story? The ancient authors appear to have intended that we learn and remember key concepts about theology and morality.
On the theological front, Abraham’s entire life is a story of faith, free will, and obedience. Since Genesis chapter 12, we read over and over how God asks Abraham to do something, and Abraham does it – even if God’s direction lacks details or doesn’t make much sense at the time. Through his life’s events, we see how God provided for Abraham and his family. A modern way of wording this is, “If God calls you to it, God will get you through it.”
Long story short, 18 years ago, Anne and I believed God was calling us to move from Atlanta to Reno. Nothing about that call made sense. None of our family or friends enthusiastically supported our move, in fact, many of them tried to talk us out of moving. But Anne and I prayed and talked about it; we made the move, and the first six months were… mostly miserable. The next few years weren’t a whole lot better. Yet, God always provided for our needs and more. In hindsight, we’ve been able to see how God used us and grew us – individually and as a couple. Those illuminations are ointments on the scars we’ve collected along the way.
Earlier this morning, I mentioned the phenomenal success of our new food pantry. We understand and explain our success through the lens of our faith which includes Abraham’s life – how he modeled listening for God, responding in faith, and “obediently” going where he believed God was leading him. We believe that we, all of us, have followed a similar sequence and that God has blessed our faith and obedience with provision beyond our imaginations. To all of you who have supported our Food Pantry with your prayers and your donations of time, food, and money – thank you for walking with us in faith and obedience!
On the morality front, this story spoke volumes to the early Israelites. Keep in mind, the Ten Commandments wouldn’t arrive for another 500-700 years! When today’s story was written, human sacrifice was not uncommon for many of the cultural groups around Abraham. With this story, our ancient Jewish leaders explained to us that, as the creator of all life, God hates human sacrifice, hates seeing a life needlessly destroyed. That belief alone set the people who would become the nation of Israel apart from the cultures around them. That respect for the life of all people, regardless of religious association, is what set the early Christians apart from the Romans.
For 4,000 years, we have shared this and other stories of God’s role in our creation, God’s role in our lives, and God’s incredible love for us – and for all of humanity. For 4,000 years, this story has reminded us that we are to be in an attentive and obedient relationship with God. In that sense, today’s story is beautiful and encouraging.
To practice being in an attentive and loving relationship with God – and ourselves, here’s your homework this week: At least once a day, look at yourself in the mirror, say your name out loud, followed by…
“YOU are a precious child of the living God, birthed out of God’s creative energy into a life with purpose and meaning. Believe it. … OK God, what’s next?”
And when you feel like God is tugging you in a direction, or speaking to you directly, follow Abraham’s lead and respond with “Here I am.” Because when we have a “Here I am” relationship with God, amazing things can happen! Amen? Amen!