Today we begin Genesis Chapter 22.
For the Complete Jewish Bible, click here.
For the King James version, click here.
In traditional Judaism, the sacrifice of Isaac holds such special significance that it has been given a special name.
It is called “Akedah“.
“Akedah” means “to bind” or “the binding” referring to Isaac being bound up on the sacrificial altar that he was placed on on top of Mount Moriah.
There is one interesting difference between the narration style of Bible stories and all other forms of writing not only from Abraham’s era but any era of history, period.
When it comes to the written recordings of great events in history, NOT a lot of emphasis is placed on the series of events leading up to the big, pivotal event in question.
Minor focus is placed on the process leading up to the product.
All of the embellishment is saved for a grandiose telling of the final story.
However, the Bible is the exact opposite.
The Bible focuses more on process rather than product.
How Abraham’s life is related to us in the Scriptures is a perfect example of this.
In painstaking fashion, chapter by chapter, the many trials and temptations that Abraham went through to reach this point in his faith journey are related to us.
We are told of both his strengths and weaknesses.
And then, finally, when we reach that defining point in his life, the breathtaking moment we have all been waiting for, it is given to us in such an anticlimactic fashion.
Many pivotal events in Scripture such as the deaths of major biblical characters or great war victories are usually related in brief one sentence snippets.
The reason is because when it comes to our own character development, it is not so much the final achievement that is important but the kind of person we have to become in order to grow and attain that achievement.
The details leading up to the event are also given to encourage us.
Have you ever felt like you were lacking in faith or worried about current circumstances?
So was Abraham.
Have you ever committed actions that were directly against what God commanded?
Well, so did Abraham.
So of course, it is reassuring to know that we are not alone when doubt and anxiety strike.
God’s best have at times been God’s worst.
But through God’s grace, they came through and overcame seemingly impossible circumstances.
This is another reason why it is so, so important to immerse yourself in Torah study daily.
You are either going to be influenced by the world and all its satanic deception or by God.
There is no middle ground!
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