Today we read of two exciting stories: the sacrifice of Isaac (Genesis 22:1-19) and the Transfiguration (Mark 9:2-10). They are very complex stories and there are a lot of things to reflect on.
The Quran also has a similar story about Allah's testing of Ibrahim (Quran 37:99-111). Though the name of the son is not mentioned in Quran, Muslims believe that he was Ishmael, the son of Hagar the Egyptian maid, rather than Isaac, the son of Sarah. Ishmael was the ancestor of the Arabians. Of course, the Hebrew Scripture and the Christian Bible put Isaac on the altar. Whoever the son was, Abraham (Ibrahim) passed the test with flying colours. But why was Abraham willing to offer up Isaac, his only son, as a holocaust? Did Abraham have any choice? It seems that Abraham had surrendered his free will. For non-believers, he blindly obeyed God.
From Genesis 12:4, we know that Abraham followed God's instruction to depart from Haran when he was 75. One may wonder how he could, at this age, start a new career, so to speak. He could. He must have already fostered a strong relationship with God to uproot himself. No matter what, Abraham still had a full century ahead to deal with life and with God because Abraham died at the age of 175 (Genesis 25:7). Twenty five years later, when Abraham was 100, Isaac was born to him. Seven years later, God told Abraham to offer up Isaac. One may argue that Abraham's relationship with God was very much longer than that with his 7-year-old son. This argument is weak because quality rather than quantity counts. Simply see how many marital relationships break up simply when a third person elbows in, however briefly and you will agree with me.
The author of Hebrews offers another explanation. Abraham believed that God was able to raise men even from the dead (Hebrews 11:19). Well, it is hard to imagine what a person actually thought thousands of years ago. I am afraid the author of Hebrews was projecting his New Testament theology into the thinking of ancient people of the Old. Whatever was running in the head of Abraham, his action showed that he had inexplicable faith in God. Because of this faith in God, Abraham received God's blessings and became the father of all who believe in God. We become his spiritual descendants. (Romans 4).
And the angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time from heaven,
and said, "By myself I have sworn, says the LORD, because you have done this, and have not withheld your son, your only son,
I will indeed bless you, and I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore. And your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies,
and by your descendants shall all the nations of the earth bless themselves, because you have obeyed my voice." (Genesis 22:15-18)
Was God very cruel to put such an old man to the test? In a certain sense, it was not a test of Abraham but a test, a challenge of God Himself. Abraham had not withheld Isaac. Now, it was God's turn. Would God withhold His Son? Abraham has demonstrated that sinful men are redeemable. They can be trustworthy. No wonder Israel is called Israel. He wrestled with God and with men and prevailed (Genesis 32:28). While Abraham has passed the test with flying colours, we cannot afford to be complacent ourselves. We have to remember that God was on the side of Abraham. God knew for sure that Abraham would pass the test but Abraham himself might not be so sure. He was already 107 and Isaac was his only son because earlier on, Abraham had driven Ishmael and his mother Hagar away. This test serves to confirm Abraham of his faith in God.
St. Paul was more explicit in his argument. Though he did not have Abraham particularly in mind, it applies as well because Paul thought that Abraham was predestined and called by God to depart and embark on a new career.
We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.
For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first-born among many brethren.
And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified (Romans 8:28-30).
The language of predestination is difficult for us to swallow. For the time being, let's tolerate it for the sake of discussion and assume that this was the mentality of ancient people. St. Paul was actually consoling and encouraging his readers who were facing persecutions. In style, St. Paul fired a volley of rhetorical questions to his readers.
If God is for us, who is against us?
He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, will he not also give us all things with him?
Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies;
who is to condemn? Is it Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us?
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (Romans 8:31b-35)
Therefore, in this season of Lent, our fastings, almsgivings and sacrifices look trivial. They pale in comparison with the persecutions faced by St. Paul and his readers.
In the Transfiguration story, Jesus showed his post-resurrection glory between Moses and Elijah. Fr. Ng Kwok Po likes to conjure up the image of God between the two cherubim on the Ark of Covenant. God's voice was heard.
And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, "This is my beloved Son; listen to him." (Mark 9:7)
Speak! My God, speak! Your servant is listening. Call my name and I shall follow. Amen.
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