Day Eleven..."A Dramatic Story of Unthinkable Obedience"

God gives to Abraham and Sarah a miracle child. Sarah is close to the century mark when she gives birth. In a sensitive moment, over mocking her age, Sarah demanded Hagar and Ishamel to leave and they left. Then the story takes a most dramatic turn..."Is God really going to require Abraham to sacrifice his son?" Parents know how troubling this story is to read. When Isaac asks..." where is the sacrificial lamb?" I am drawn to the absolute edge of my comfort level. This story is about total obedience and "the ram in the thicket" does offer a sigh of relief..."whew!" Is this story not a prelude to the costs of Jesus' death on the cross? Psalm 11 has one passage that reads God hates those who love violence... "The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence his soul hates."(5) In response to those who see God in the Old Testament as violent, the "ram in thicket" and Psalm 11 indicate God is seeking obedience and justice. There is a difference. He did not come to abolish the law. Jesus elevates obedience in the Sermon on the Mount. Murder is wrong and so is unjust anger. Adultery is wrong and so is a life of lust. Oaths are not necessary and miss the point of obedience. An "eye for an eye", or revenge, is the wrong attitude...loving enemies is taking the high road. Jesus' teaching elevates what obedience really means.