Today’s reading offers several hard conversations that remove the smile from Abraham’s face. God’s demand for a sacri ce will remove the laughter that Isaac has brought to Sarah and Abraham’s life. Isaac carries the wood for the sacri ce while Abraham carries the re and knife. That knife can cut the ten- sion in this story. Isaac calls to his father who replies in the same manner to which he replied to God: “Here I am,” adding the words “my son.” And with Isaac’s question, “Where is the lamb?” another hard conversation begins. Listen to the ready deceit in Abraham’s voice as he responds to his son’s inquiry: “God himself will provide the lamb.” As they continue walking, surely Abraham wonders if this child of the promise will really become the sacri ce.
With altar built and wood laid on, Isaac no longer has a reason to ask about a lamb. As the glint of Abraham’s knife ashes above, another conversation begins. It too opens with a call to Abraham. And yet again we hear Abraham’s standard reply: “Here I am.”
Does Abraham’s obedience win the day? Does it bring to the fore a different conversation than the hard ones up to this time? Yes! God tells Abraham not to lay his hand on Isaac. So Abraham names the place: “the lOrD will provide.” Disaster averted; promise intact. Obedience or faith rewarded? The text says God tested Abraham. So how did Abraham do? Verses 16-17 give us the answer: “The angel of the lOrD called to Abra- ham . . . and said, ‘Because you have not withheld your son, your only son, I will indeed bless you, and I will make your offspring as numerous as the stars.’”