(Each Saturday, a faith leader in Franklin County offers a personal perspective in this space. To become part of this series, email religion@recorder.com or call 413-772-0261, ext. 265.)
By REV. DR. MARCIA DOREY
“Abraham, take your son your only son Isaac whom you love, to Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering …”
That was God’s command.
So, Abraham and Isaac set off toward Mount Moriah with a donkey and kindling wood and two young men to accompany them. On the third day, Abraham saw the mountain he was headed for, and told his young men to wait where they were — “The boy and I will go ahead and worship, and then WE will come back here to you.”
Notice Abraham said “we” will come back. Many scholars see that as a sign that Abraham trusted God to fulfill His promises concerning Abraham’s descendants.
Off they went, with Isaac carrying the kindling on his back.
“Father, where is the offering?” asks Isaac.
“God will provide it, my son,” says Abraham.
Many scholars think that this PLUS the reference to THIRD DAY are a foreshadowing of God’s giving HIS son for the life of the world.
Abraham built an altar, laid the fire, bound Isaac and put him on the altar. Isaac doesn’t even seem to resist.
But just as Abraham was raising the knife to sacrifice his son, a ram appeared, easily captured, and was traded for Isaac on the altar.
What God said gives us a clue about this whole scene — “Don’t touch the boy. Now I know that you fear God because you did not withhold your son from me,”
What? Well, let’s consider:
Abraham and family were surrounded by a pagan culture whose gods demanded child sacrifice. Did Abraham love HIS God as much as the pagan cultures loved and feared THEIR gods? Would Abraham be willing to give God his son as readily as the surrounding cultures gave their children to their gods?
Apparently, he was.
Abraham’s only son, his hope for the future, belonged to God, and so Abraham prepared to return him to God.
But, for me, the important part of the story comes next — DO NOT HARM THE BOY — here is a substitute sacrifice provided by God.
I believe it was at this point that God taught His people that child sacrifice was NOT part of the plan. LOVE ME AND FEAR ME, but I DO NOT require that you sacrifice your children to me. And, as a matter of fact, Israel did not have a culture that sanctified child sacrifice, and began to look with abhorrence on their neighbors who did.
So, since you loved Me, God said, all the nations of the earth will be blessed by your ancestors, and they shall possess the gates of their enemies.
The lone act of one faithful person moved God’s plan for history ahead and, I believe, the solitary faithful action of one faithful person can still do that. A community action by God’s church can also accomplish the same thing if it is in response to God’s call and direction.
One person’s love of what is right supported by a community.
And I hold up to you the concept that the church can be such a community.
When a church is seeking God’s will, and grounded in what God is calling for, it is a wonder to behold. Deaconness Hospital, public schools, public libraries, to mention some things that churches inspired by one faithful person have established.
I pray we are all powerful enough to stop the destruction of our environment. We haven’t stopped war, yet, but have changed some attitudes, at least. Churches have fed the hungry, supported homeless shelters. I pray we can gather enough courage to speak out for the need for health care for the vulnerable.
It begins with ONE person’s response to God — “TAKE Isaac, your ONLY son whom you love and give him to me.”
With our God, that impossible demand becomes in some way an opportunity for the opening of new paths and hopeful directions. I pray all God’s people will remain open to God’s calling and leading. Amen.
The Halifax Union Society is a non-denominational church that holds summer evening services in Halifax, Vt., just north of Colrain. The Society’s inclusive, neighborly character and peaceful hilltop setting have attracted residents of nearby towns and summer visitors since 1891.
Sunday services start at 6 p.m. and will continue through Sept. 3.
The Rev. Dr. Marcia Dorey serves as pastor. Merrillyn Courser plays the antique Carpenter reed organ. Hymns are chosen spontaneously by the congregation from a mix of traditional and revival tunes.
At every service, members and friends bring non-perishables for donation to a local food pantry.
The church is located at 44 Stowe Mountain Road in Halifax Center, two miles uphill from the school in West Halifax. For specific directions, write HalifaxUnionSociety@gmail.com or call (802) 368-2455.