The Binding Of Isaac: Monotheistic Religion

In this chapter, it is clear that Abraham trusted God completely. Abraham did not know why God was testing him. But Abraham could recognise God’s voice. The Bible clearly teaches that murder is wicked (Deuteronomy 5:17). The answer is that God never wanted Abraham to kill Isaac. God stopped Abraham before Abraham could hurt Isaac. So God had a different plan. God was not really asking Abraham to kill Isaac. In fact, God was asking Abraham to prove that he (Abraham) would always trust God. Abraham did not know about God’s plan to save Isaac. But Abraham realised that God had such a plan. He told his servants that he would bring Isaac back to them (verse 5). He told Isaac that God would provide the *lamb for the *sacrifice (verse 8). Hebrews

The pagans of this time were sacrificing humans to appease their gods. When God tells Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac, it isn’t all that odd. But, when God tells Abraham to take Isaac down, he is commanding the Hebrew people to never sacrifice humans to God. This elevates and separates the Hebrews from their savage surroundings.

The Hebrews served a monotheistic God, who they called Yahweh. He is an all-powerful and non human like being. They believed he made them in his image and gave them dominion over the earth. Their God was unlike any other gods at the time because he was friendly, compassionate, forgiving and all-powerful. God gave the Hebrews structure, a background, hope, and purpose. Every society needs rules to protect and keep the community in line. God gave Moses the ten commandments which they lived on.1 The Hebrews created the Bible a sacred book containing their lives and relationships with God. The Bible gave the Hebrews an understanding of how the world and humankind emerged. They also believed in an afterlife. Heaven for people who lived a righteous life and Hell for people who lived an unholy life in the eyes of God. So the Hebrews had a set of laws follow and hopes to believe in. This unified the Hebrews because they had the same goals, beliefs and obligation to suppress their desires for the well being of God and their society.

The story of Abraham and the binding of his son Isaac displays one of the ways God tested man in those days. Abraham was ordered to sacrifice his only son in the land of Moriah. Not letting his love for his son withhold him from God’s wishes he goes to the mountain and right before he readies himself to kill Isaac an angel calls out to him. He is told that his faith in God has been demonstrated and he doesn 't have to sacrifice his son after all.

Palestine has a long history of being ruled by different empires, all of which followed different religions. Its culture has been exposed to the influence of the Greeks, the Romans, the Byzantines, the Ottomans and a few others. It is in the heart of the Middle East and it houses the three major monotheistic religions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam; Judaism being one of the oldest religions, dating as far back as 2000 BCE in Canaan. Christianity, which then took into Judaism’s steps spread more vigorously and was more recently “recognized in New Testament studies” (Yencich 120). Then many years later came Islam, which had its own peak as well. These three monotheistic religions seem to echo each other’s tales, ideals, and values. The conflict between the Arabs and the Israelis over this Holy Land has been going on for years.

Originated in eastern Mediterranean throughout the life of Jesus Christ, in addition to it becoming the major religion of the Roman Empire by the end of the 4th century

(Note that Israelites did not bring a human sacrifice.) It was really a challenge for Abraham to do this feat but he chose to fulfill God’s wishes until the Angel of the Lord .stopped the patriarch at the moment he "took the knife to slay his son"! Now God knew that Abraham does not seek anything "to keep for himself" and that he is actually afraid of God. That is, he venerates him as an almighty Lord, trusts Him wholeheartedly and is willing to obey Him

In the story the binding of Isaac, God’s plan was not to tempt Abraham, but to test him to see if Abraham had faith and would put God above all else, even his own son Isaac. In doing this God wanted to demonstrate the importance of faith and trust in Him. God did not condemn the sacrifice of children. God despises the “hand that shed innocent blood” (Prov. 6:17). It’s crucial to remember that God put a stop to the sacrifice of Isaac. God never wanted Isaac to be sacrificed, his only motive was testing Abraham’s loyalty. Abraham, along with many other followers believe that God is the creator of the Earth and the Heavens, which means God has the right to

Judaism was formed in 2000 bc. by Abraham in the land of Canaan. They were the first monotheistic religion, this means they only worship one god. They call their deity “God” (Jehovah in hebrew).

Human beings have continuously been interested by the that means and purpose of life. Religions attempt to answer the curiosity individuals have regarding there being the next supply, generally characteristic this bigger domination as God. Some beliefs teach that there's only 1 G-d this is often outlined as a monotheistic faith. Some samples of monotheistic religions ar Judaism, Christianity and Islam. though every sect features a completely different perspective on teachings and beliefs they need one common thread; the idea in an exceedingly singular divinity. Christianity, Islam, and Judaism.

Abraham’s seriousness and dedication in regards to his covenant with God control tense actions and events between Abraham and Isaac. Abraham is compelled in his actions by his understanding and faith that his belief in God will reap benefits. Without hesitation, he considers doing everything that God tells him to do. Abraham’s willingness and sacrifice of Isaac show the great power that God has over Abraham. Abraham’s desire for God’s approval and blessings compel him toward grave actions without the concrete command from God. Abraham merely implies God’s intentions from the limited conversations held between Abraham, God, and the angel.

For, the point of the beginning lies in the result (Kierkegaard, 91). This means that no point or choice exists at the beginning of any obstacle. In the eyes of Kierkegaard, one should judge according to the result. Abraham relies on and trusts in God's love and his love for God (Kierkegaard, 88). This is not absurd. It is only absurd from the point of view that it might be calculated (Kierkegaard, 65). But, faith is beyond calculation, for Abraham "believed on the strength of the absurd, for there could be no question of human calculation… (Kierkegaard, 65)"

In his famous work Fear and Trembling, Kierkegaard declares that “no person has a right to delude others into the belief that faith is something of no great significance, or that it is an easy matter, whereas it is the greatest and most difficult of all things.” The difficulty of faith lies in the requirement of sacrifice. The story of Abraham’s near sacrifice of his beloved son, Isaac, is what Kierkegaard utilizes to demonstrate how costly faith in God is. Here is a man, who after seventy years of waiting for God’s promise of offspring finally received his son, is commanded by God to slay his promised son with no stated reason for doing so. Kierkegaard, in attempting to experience what Abraham might have experienced in those moments, cries, “Now all is lost, God demands Isaac, I shall sacrifice him, and with him all my joy – but for all that, God is love and will remain so for me.” What bold words! The cost

God selected Abraham to be the father of the His people. The bible does not directly state why God selected him, but after reading scripture one can conclude that God selected Abraham due to his great faith. Abraham’s life lends itself as an example to all who desire to walk with God.

Abram leaves his home and family, and departs into the "strange land" of Canaan, showing an extreme obedience to God and understanding of his duty to father this great race. Throughout Genesis, Abraham builds altars to God and sacrifices animals. In Genesis 22:2, God tells Abraham, "Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains". The next day, Abraham sets off for Moriah "and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son." After God stops the sacrifice, he tells Abraham, "Now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me."