goodbye isaac!

October 3, 2008

Do you know the story of Abraham and Isaac in the Bible? I'll briefly tell you the story (with matching paraphrases and Ayi’s own version of their conversation, hehe). Here it goes:

God: Abraham, wake up. Wake up!

Abraham: (still yawning) Yes Lord?

God: Come here quickly, let’s talk, I will tell you something that’s very important.

Abraham: Okay Lord, here I am.

God: You know what son, I have a plan, a perfect plan, I want to make you a father of all nations, I will make your descendants as many as the stars in the heaven, and as many as the sand in the seashore. Isn’t it exciting?

Abraham: (eyes that’s still sleepy suddenly opened wide) Huuuwaaat Lord? Is that true? Is that a joke? Oh I’m sorry. But Lord, how can that happen? Having a wife that is barren and old? How can that happen?

God: Abraham shut up! (The Lord didn't really said that, He’s endearingly gentle, you know that, hehe) just trust me Abraham, I will, and I can make it happen. My promises are not meant to be broken. Duh? Where’s your faith?

Abraham: hihi. Okay Lord. I trust you! = )

To cut the story short. Of course, the Lord is undoubtedly faithful to His promise. The Lord gave Abraham and Sarah a cute little baby boy named Isaac.= ) Here’s the scenario in the delivery room (I cant imagine what kind of delivery room during that time) but here it goes:

Baby Isaac: uuuwaaa,uuuwaaa (He’s crying,ok?)

Sarah: Welcome Baby Isaac to our world. You're a gift to us. Your Dad and I are so happy. No words can express how thankful we are to have you baby. You're so cute. You're so lovable. We promise you that we will take care of you, because you're from above. = )

Abraham: Your mom’s right. We’ll be treasuring you Baby Isaac, because the promise that God had said to me (descendants will be as many as the stars in heaven, and sand in the seashore) will surpass through you. I can't wait for you to grow. I love you son. = )

Isaac grew as an adorable and a lovable child to his parents. (by God’s grace of course) Abraham and Sarah loved Isaac so much. Abraham protected Isaac, taught him things, cared about everything about him, invested money, effort and time to him, loved him dearly. Abraham even prayed and declared daily that God’s promise will come to pass through his son, Isaac. But one night:

God: Abraham, wake up! Wake up!

Abraham: (still sleepy, but woke up of course) Yes Lord? Do You have a surprise for me? Will You give me Your promise now? Will You make Sarah preggy again? And make her give birth to twins, or triplets, or even quadruplets? Remember Your promise Lord..I will be a father of many nations. Remember Lord? Wooohooo! I'm so excited!

God: Do you love Isaac?

Abraham: That's non-negotiable Lord, I love Isaac so much. You're the One who gave him to me, and he’s going to fulfill the promise You've given me, remember? That’s why I've invested much of my time, my effort, my love, my everything just to raise him well. Well of course with the help of Your grace.

God: Oh well,that’s great. = ) Now, I want you to take Isaac, whom you love, offer him as your burnt sacrifice to me. okay?

Abraham: hahaha! You got me in there. Even in joking, You are great Lord! hahaha!

God: hahaha! You make me laugh too. hahaha! But hey, I'm not joking. I’m serious. I want you to give me Isaac. Is that clear?

Abraham: (inhaled, exhaled, inhaled, exhaled)

————————-silence——————————-

Oh well, the Bible really didn't elaborate the whole scene. But I believe, that was the most inexplicable and dramatic scenario in Abraham’s life. I pictured Abraham walked in to where Isaac was sleeping, looked into his face with much love. And..

Abraham: (with tears running through his aged face) I love you so much Isaac, but I love God more, GOODBYE ISAAC!

Abraham didn't even asked or questioned God why..What was in God’s mind? Why did He want to offer his one and only son? Why did He give Isaac and take it back again? Why Isaac?How about the promise? Abraham remained silent, obeyed and responded with a “Yes Lord “

Early the next morning, Abraham took Isaac to Mount Moriah. Here’s the scenario:

Isaac: Hey dad, what are we going to do here?

Abraham: We’re going to worship God. We are going to built an altar, and give God some burnt offering.

Isaac: But how? We do have materials in building an altar for God, but how about the offering? We didn't bring something like fruits, veggies, a lamb. Dad? How?

Abraham: (with teary eyes, looked at Isaac’s innocent face) You know son, from the day you were here with me, I have loved u. And will always love you.

But…suddenly, he bound up Isaac, laid him at the altar, he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. And then. And..

Okay, I will first cut the story. Many times I am faced with that kind of Abraham-God conversation. I am not having a hard time believing God’s promises. I mean, I believe and trust the Lord right away, because He is an all-knowing God, and He’s all powerful, that He is able to do what He just has said. Although the promise and the present situation are in the different side of the road, I'm still trusting. I just read His word, pray, listen to Him, and believe that He knows what He has been doing.

But, in giving-up-Isaac-scenario, oh-uh. oh-my. oh-no. It’s always been a very difficult task for me. Yeah, I do have a lot of Isaacs in my life. Things that I'm holding inside myself for a very long time. Things that I've been taking care of for years. Things that I think I can't live without. Things that I've invested much of my time, effort, money, emotion. Things that I used to have every day. Things that I'm comfortable with. Things that I can't just let go. Things that just a thought of giving it up, makes me want to cry. Things that I think it’s just okay. Things that I think it’s already good and tolerable. Things that make me happy & feel good enough. Things that I think that’s the promise. Things that I loved most…the things, the Isaacs, that the Lord wants me to give Him back.

In the Abraham-Isaac story, and in our own life’s story, the issue is not all about you and the things you're holding on to, you, who took care of it, who invested a lot, who gave so much effort and who loved most. The issue is all about the Lord, how you will respond and obey His instruction. Oh well, the Lord knows how much you'll be hurting, how many tears will be pouring out from your eyes. He knows that your heart will be breaking into pieces the moment He tells you to give those things up. He knew it from the very start. But why will the Lord allow it? But hey, who's the One who gave those things in the first place? The Lord of course. Maybe He just wants to have those things back, because those Isaacs make you fall away from Him. Maybe those Isaacs steal moments from you and God. Maybe you are already focusing on Isaac and the promise, and forgetting the One who has promised it. The Lord knows it’s not that easy to give up those things right away. But don't you remember that He’s the strongest, and He is able to give you strength? Don't you know that His grace and mercy are overflowing, that He is willing to give much of it? Don't you remember that He’s the greatest doctor, and can heal your hurt? Don't you know the truth that He made you, that His plan for you is already finished? That He is the author and the finisher? Don't you ever think of how much He loves you, that all the things He’s been doing is for the benefit of us? Don't you think that His ways, His plans, His timetable, His mind, are all perfect?

Just give it up. just say “ GOODBYE ISAAC”..Just look and see to what I can do to your life, far more wonderful, amazing and beautiful than you could ever dream of, that’s my promise– Jesus

Let’s go back to the story.

But…suddenly, he bound up Isaac, laid him at the altar, he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son..and then..and..

An angel of God appeared = ) and said “Wait Abraham, wait! Don't lay a hand on your son, don't you ever kill him! Now, God knew that you feared Him, and willing to obey Him whatever it takes, even if it costs you to give up your son, your one and only son”

*sigh* That was a very big relief to Abraham. He saw a ram in the thicket, took it as the burnt offering instead of his son. Abraham and Isaac embraced each other. They worshiped God. And I believe, from that experience, they loved the Lord more. = )

And do you know what happened to the promise of God to Abraham? It came to pass. And as a result, me, your mom, your dad, and you, came from Abraham’s descendants, as many as the stars in heaven and sand in the seashore. Isn't it amazing? Yes. The Lord’s really amazing = )