[Teachldsseminary] Abrahamic Test

[Marji]

> Whenever I've taught this lesson, the question that students always ask is
> "Why did Abraham have to be tested if God already knew his heart?"
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We are almost through with Genesis - tomorrow we will finish it.  We
watched the Video #14 this morning, which is on scriptural symbols.
One of the sections goes over the Abraham/Isaac sacrifice in terms of
the symbols.  The video superimposes the pictures of Abraham and Isaac
with Christ on the cross and the Father taking the place of Abraham.
It came through to me  strongly just how powerful a TEACHING MOMENT in
the life of humanity on this planet the Abraham sacrifice was.  Where
on the video, the knife of Abraham is suspended in the air, the
picture of Christ on the cross is superimposed.  Where the lamb in the
thicket was, a picture of Christ as Savior is superimposed.

While it may seem simplistic and easy to overlook, this parable, this
scene in the life of a prophet, was not only about obedience.  It is a
powerful symbol which has endured for generation upon generation of
the life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and of the *personal* nature
of the sacrifice of his only begotten son by God the Father.  That
conclusion (not a new one, just a new and fresh feeling this morning,
deeper insight) also reminds me that I have often thought that Isaac
was a willing sacrifice - that he knew what was going on, just like
Christ did, and that he was willing to die if that was required of
him.  I don't think Isaac was blind or fooled or led dumbly along for
a journey of three days (also symbolic).  This was a spiritual journey
of huge proportions for both father and son, a mighty journey of faith
and sacrificial covenant.

Marji



Marji