Readings for today: Genesis 20-22, Matthew 8
Fear is a powerful motivator. Often driving us to do things we wouldn’t otherwise do. Make choices out of desperation rather than faith. Lot’s daughters, for example, from yesterday’s reading were afraid they would never find a husband which during that time period would have meant a death sentence. So they got their father drunk and slept with him. Abraham is afraid someone might kill him and try to steal his wife so he tells Sarah to lie about their relationship. (By the way, does it seem strange to anyone else that Abimelech would want a ninety year old woman in his harem?) After Isaac is born, Abraham is afraid of the budding conflict between Sarah and Hagar and the potential of a divided household so he lets Sarah throw Hagar and Ishmael out. I imagine if we sat and reflected for a moment, we can all think back to choices we’ve made that we regret that were driven by similar fears.
The most common command in the Bible by far is “Do not be afraid.” God doesn’t want us to walk in fear. He tells us 1 John 4:18, “Perfect love casts out fear.” He tells us 2 Timothy 1:7 that He has “not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and discipline.” At the same time, there is one fear we are called to embrace. The fear of the Lord. I love what the prophet Isaiah says, “But the Lord of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.” (Is. 8:13) Now I know we don’t like to think of God in these categories. We are deeply unsettled at the idea that we would “fear God.” At the same time, what I’ve learned in my own life is when I fear God, I fear nothing else. And this is what Abraham learned as well.
One of the most famous stories in all of Scripture is the sacrifice of Isaac. It has been the subject of some of the most incredible artwork throughout the centuries. It has influenced the plot lines of famous works of literature. There is just something deeply compelling about this story for believers and non-believers alike. An old man taking his son. His only son. The son whom he loves and offering him as a sacrifice. In our minds eye, we can see them climbing the mountain together. Abraham with the fire and knife. Isaac carrying the wood. As we picture the scene, we can almost hear Isaac poignantly question his father - such a tender scene -"My father!" And Abraham said, "Here I am, my son." He said, "Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" Abraham said, "God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son." You can almost imagine Abraham answering Isaac with tears in his eyes. They get to the top of the mountain. Abraham builds an altar. Binds his own son. Lays him down. Raises the knife. And that’s when God steps in. "Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me."
I’ve often wondered what kind of impact this experience had on Abraham and Isaac? What this would do to their relationship? And yet, even the father/son relationship is not as important as Abraham’s relationship with God. He must fear God above all else. He must trust God above all else. He must honor God above all else. He must have faith in God above all else. The writer of Hebrews, as he looked back on this story and reflected on Abraham’s faith, says Abraham “considered that God was able even to raise Isaac from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.” (Heb. 11:19) No matter what, Abraham knew God had promised him a son. He knew Isaac was that son. He knew the future rested on this son. And he trusted God even when it seemed like His commands put all that at risk.
Some might argue this whole scene makes God into a monster. What kind of God demands human sacrifice? Christians know it’s foreshadowing. Fast forward a few thousand years and we have another Father and Son having this same conversation in the Garden of Gethsemane. The Son asking the Father if this is truly what the Father commands. If there can’t be another way. One can almost see the Father answer His Son. His only Son. The Son whom He loves with tears in His eyes. So Jesus takes up the cross. Climbs the SAME exact mountain Abraham and Isaac did so many centuries before. Lays down on the altar. The Father raises His Hand - there is no ram to take Jesus’ place - and takes His Son’s life. All to save humanity from our fear, from our sin.
What are you afraid of today? What’s driving the choices you make? Is it fear of what others might say? Fear of facing the consequences of your actions? Fear of losing something you love? Fear God, friends! Honor Him as holy! Look to the Cross and consider the great love He has for you! As you fix your eyes on Jesus, you will feel the fears that so often drive us loosening their grip. Fear God and you will fear nothing else!
Readings for tomorrow: Genesis 23-24, Matthew 9