Four Sleepless Nights

I can't believe I spent a couple days just poring over the passage in Gen 22, re: the sacrifice of Isaac. Just for a 75-min study. Why would a good God order such a cruel, inhumane deed? Why didn't Abraham intercede for Isaac the way he petitioned for Lot? And what manner of mental retard is Isaac to allow himself to be bound and sacrificed as a burnt offering - the kind that is killed before being wholly consumed by fire?? I mean, literally toast.

Neatly-packaged answers abound. It was a test for Abraham. God would not allow human sacrifices and deemed it an abomination when the Canaanites practised it those days. Which accounted for why Abraham was prevented from slaying his son at the altar. Many of us would never go through the severe test Abraham did. Scripture does not record whether Abraham really did intercede for his son Isaac to be spared, but we know that he obeyed God immediately when the strange command was given. Later, we realise that the test was for Abraham's own benefit. He needed to know the extent of his love and obedience to God. As for Isaac, well, he was a meek character. Not weak. Huge difference coz meekness is great strength under control. And reveals great faith under wraps. Perfect metaphor for the providence of Christ as the atoning sacrifice for mankind.

The thing I like about the Bible is its no-holds-barred description of events - the characters are real, flawed and human. The problem I have is that it does not give me a picture of God that is comfortable. I am uncomfortable with a God Who does not conform to my understanding. I am uncomfortable with a God Who suddenly pulls the rug under the feet of His saints and subjects them to encounters of the near-delirium type. I am uncomfortable with a God Whom I cannot predict.

Call me a glutton for punishment, but this unknown factor in the equation is actually drawing me like a moth to a lightbulb. So I am convinced God is good, holy, faithful and trustworthy. But He is also dangerously unpredictable. Would I be tested on this kinda scale one day? One part of me hopes not, the other is actually (gasp!) entertaining the prospect, wondering what it would be like.

Dear God, You test Your children to bring out the best possible good. Help me live in daily obedience - for that "easy transit" to the biggie test...