Genesis 22:1 - 24:67

Abraham and Isaac

If you grew up in church in the pre-technology era you can probably, like me, picture this story being played out on the flannel board in Sunday school. (If you're too young to know what that means it is your loss!!) A couple things that struck me this morning:

• God shows up and give Abraham the instructions and the next thing we're told is that he got up early the next and went. No debate, no lingering, simple obedience.
• It takes three days to get to the place God instructed him to go, long enough to think about what he is doing, and yet he continues in Obedience.
• Then there is the visual metaphor of Isaac carrying wood upon which he will be sacrificed foreshadowing Jesus' ordeal.
• Then we get the new blessing.

The initial covenant with Abram back in chapter 17 was that his descendants would inherit the land and the God would be their God. This newer piece seems to be an additional blessing as a result of Abraham's faith.:
"...through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me."

I love the next couple verses of haggling:

"The cost of the field is 400 shekels but what is that between you and me?" From this we get the stereotype of the middle eastern merchant.

I confess I need to do more study on culture norms of the time but when the servant shows up, scouts out the well looking for the good looking wife for Isaac, asks for water, then busts out the nose ring....I'm not thinking that approach would work very well today.

Interesting though that God's blessing in chapter 23 includes:
"Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies."
And the blessing that Rebekah's family gives her as she leaves includes:
"...may your offspring possess the gates of their enemies."

Argue revisionist history if you want but I like the symetry.