Abraham had eight sons: Ishmael from Hagar, Isaac from Sarah, and six sons — Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah — all from Keturah, his second wife after Sarah’s death. There is a blessing for all of Abraham’s children, but the special, everlasting covenant is only for Isaac because this promise was made to Sarah’s son, and she had only one son.
Continue readingThis is an overview of the story of Isaac, accompanied by some commentary.
Continue readingAbraham’s near-sacrifice of Isaac can be a highly controversial topic, but let’s explore what is happening here. Abraham trusted that God would keep the promise to make a covenant nation of his descendants through his son Isaac, the promised son of his wife Sarah. If God were faithful to this promise, God couldn’t eliminate Isaac because the covenant couldn’t be fulfilled. Abraham trusted that God would be faithful to the promise, so he went forward with sacrificing him, knowing that Isaac couldn’t be taken forever or God would be a liar and covenant breaker.
Continue readingThis is part two of my look at the story of Abraham in Genesis chapters 19-25. You can read Part 1 featuring chapters 12-18 here.
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