Gen. 22:1–19, the הָדֵקֲע Aqedah

[alon]

הָדֵקֲע Aqedah; “binding (of Isaac)” Gen. 22:1–19. God asks Avraham to offer Yitz’qach as a sacrifice on an altar on Mt. Moriah. Obedient to this request Abraham takes his son to the place of sacrifice and binds him l'עָקַד va-ya’akod, Gen 22:9. The angel of the Lord then stays Abraham’s hand, and a ram is provided by God.

We as believers see this as prophetic of the self-sacrifice of Yeshua centuries later. But could there have been other reasons for this event? For example, in both Jewish and Christian tradition Moriah is actually the Temple Mount. If so, the land there slopes SE into ge’hinom (where we get the Greek Gehenah, Hell), the Hinom Valley. This is where Cana’anites sacrificed their children to Moloch. So could there have been pagans there practicing what had to be an extremely terrible act of worship to their god. Then they see Avram’s God say “No! I do not want your children on my altar. I will provide the sacrifice.”

[garrett]

Apr 18, 2023 5:08:46 GMT -8 alon said:

הָדֵקֲע Aqedah; “binding (of Isaac)” Gen. 22:1–19. God asks Avraham to offer Yitz’qach as a sacrifice on an altar on Mt. Moriah. Obedient to this request Abraham takes his son to the place of sacrifice and binds him l'עָקַד va-ya’akod, Gen 22:9. The angel of the Lord then stays Abraham’s hand, and a ram is provided by God.

We as believers see this as prophetic of the self-sacrifice of Yeshua centuries later. But could there have been other reasons for this event? For example, in both jewish and Christian tradition Moriah is actually the Temple Mount. If so, the land there slopes SE into ge’hinom (where we get the Greek Gehenah, Hell), the Hinom Valley. This is where Cana’anites sacrificed their children to Moloch. So could there have been pagans there practicing what had to be an extremely terrible act of worship to their god. Then they see Avram’s God say “No! I do not want your children on my altar. I will provide the sacrifice.”

I guess this is a strong possibility, a reinforcement of sorts, where God shows the literal comparison for Abram. And he shows it to the Canaanites, too, especially since this horrific sin comes up in the scriptures so often.

How strange that the very first sacrifices were first fruits to God. Then hasatan perverted the sacrifices by people (and "whoever else") OF people to the Adversary himself.

I recently read that some archaeologists/historians came across a biblical location that contained the buried remains of verifiably killed children and some type of altars. Nothing would shock me since there are no coincidences in these matters.

[jimmie]

I have often pondered why Abram did not bargain with God for Isaac’s life like he did for Lot’s. Did Abram assume that Isaac was going to die no matter what? Like Sodom was destroyed even though Abram had bargained with God to save it for Lot’s sake. I think if I were in Abram’s shoes at this point, I would have acted more like Gideon than Abram.

[alon]

Apr 28, 2023 9:37:34 GMT -8 jimmie said:

I have often pondered why Abram did not bargain with God for Isaac’s life like he did for Lot’s. Did Abram assume that Isaac was going to die no matter what? Like Sodom was destroyed even though Abram had bargained with God to save it for Lot’s sake. I think if I were in Abram’s shoes at this point, I would have acted more like Gideon than Abram.

That's a good question. We are not told the entire conversation, but something must have told Avram this had to be. However he did trust God, and so was obedient. There is something else here however that does not come across in our English translations:

2 וַיֹּ֡אמֶר קַח־נָ֠א אֶת־בִּנְךָ֨ אֶת־יְחִֽידְךָ֤ אֲשֶׁר־אָהַ֙בְתָּ֙ אֶת־יִצְחָ֔ק וְלֶךְ־לְךָ֔ אֶל־אֶ֖רֶץ הַמֹּרִיָּ֑ה וְהַעֲלֵ֤הוּ שָׁם֙ לְעֹלָ֔ה עַ֚ל אַחַ֣ד הֶֽהָרִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֖ר אֹמַ֥ר אֵלֶֽיךָ׃

Genesis 22:2 Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.”

The word I bolded there is "נָ֠א na"- "please!" God did not order Avram to kill Yitz'chaq; He asked! As a friend. That puts the incident in a whole new light, right there. So Avram trusted God as a friend. This is why he could argue with God (respectfully, but still that's a lot of chutzpah to be standing there bartering with God.) Moshe did the same. And that's what God wants is people whose relationship is such we can go to Him as a friend and maybe (respectfully) argue our case. We should know Him well enough to do that. But in this case I think Avram knew his God well enough to trust Him. And that's the hard part.

I know at some point in the not too distant future I will die. That doesn't bother me (odd, I've heard this from others before, and now I understand). Dieing of cancer does however bother me. It's not a nice way to go out. So now the question is, when I pray about it (daily) do I really trust God to be with me through to the end?

I'll let you all know how it works out ...

But honestly, we all may be facing some tough times ahead. This is a question worth answering ahead of time. How much do you/we trust God? If He said "־נָ֠א na, please do this difficult thing," would you/we be faithful unto death? It's easy now to say yes, but frankly, I never take it for granted. I pray "na-a-a-a-a ... a" a lot! "Ple-e-e-e-a-a-se!" And that's what I ask about this- I pray I will be here as long as He has something for me to do. Then I pray He'll take me quick. But whatever my fate, I pray for the strength to face it with His help.

I'm guessing Avram prayed mightily for strength, wisdom, discernment, and intervention. I think he may have prayed as Yeshua did, "Let this cup pass, but not my will bit thine." But in the end, He knew his God and trusted Him implicitly.