LESSON 13
Genesis for Today: Chapters 22-23
by Herb Drake

Copyright (c) 1998, 2020, Herb Drake.

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God's Command to Sacrifice Isaac

Chapter 22, is in the middle of the book and is also the high point of dramatic tension. Over the last ten chapters, Abraham has been waiting on God--waiting for the promise of a child who will bear the promise of the LORD to the next generation. Now that baby Isaac has finally arrived (though more an adolescent than a baby at this point of the story), God commands Abraham to sacrifice the beloved boy!

So what does Abraham do?

With his usual instant obedience, he takes the boy up to the place that the LORD indicated early the following day. There is not a hint of reluctance or complaint. Abraham's obedience is an example to us; God can not only command us to give up future plans, but he can command that we give up things that we already have.

The walk up the mountain and the preparations for a burnt offering proceed right up to the last moment, when the Angel of the LORD puts a stop to it, substituting a nearby ram that God had provided for that purpose. Abraham has passed the test. There is nothing that he won't do in his faithful obedience to God. The promise is repeated, this time adding that "All the nations of the earth will bless themselves on account of you."

The Death of Sarah

As a transition to the next section, twelve children are born. One of them was the father of Rebekah, who we will meet in Chapter 24.

The passing of Sarah is, of course, a tragedy for Abraham. Her age of 127 years is the only citing of an age of death in the book and this is the only occasion where Abraham weeps. She has been more than a companion to Abraham; she and Abraham were a team, and it is impossible to think of one without also thinking of the other. Morganstern tries to capture that role:

It is told of a rabbi of old that he boasted "Never have I called my wife "Wife" nor my homoe "Home," but I have always called my wife "Home" and my home "Wife." It is indeed a beautiful thought, for above all else, our Jewish women, our Jewish wives and mothers, make the true Jewish home, and most beautiful and inspiring example of all that the home can and should be. All the love and holiness and inspiraiton, which radiate from our Jewish wives and mothers, sanctify our homes, and make of them temples hallowed by God's very presence.... Our Jewish wives and mothers and homes are the greatest blessings which God has given unto his Jewish people,and, more than aught years of trial and sorrow and presecution, to keep the light of hope and faith and devotion to the God of our fathers burning in our hearts, even as they have kept the Sabath light of peace and joy and sanctity burning in our Jewish homes."

He needs to find a place for her burial, a problem for nomadic people like Abraham. In his Genesis commentatry, E. A. Speiser wrote "the living can get by as sojourners, but the deceased require a permanent resting place." To purchase a plot of land for the family burial place, in which Sarah and several of his descendants will eventually be interred, in a cave of Macpelah. He enters into a negotiation with the plot's owner -- a Hitite -- that follows the protocol of that region which is consistent with ancient real estate protocols from Hitite excavations. Although it appears to modern readers that the Hitite was being sympathetic and generous, in fact Abraham ended up paying a very high price. Not only did he purchase the burial plot, but he was compelled to also purchase an adjacent field with trees, which left him vulnerable to taxation and even to possible military obligations to the Hitites. This may, indeed, be the first recorded case of the taking advantage of a family while they are suffering with grief.

Genesis 20-21 | Genesis 24-25