Okay Christians , here goes.....?

Question

I have a question… God spoke to Abraham and told him to sacrifice his child Isaac on Mount Moriah in order to test Abraham’s faith. How is this different from say Andrea Yates thinking she heard God telling her to sacrifice her children in his name?
But wait there’s more…

I really don’t want to incur anyone’s wrath but I am conflicted….
I always had a problem with the aforementioned parable, so here goes… it kind of makes me think God needed someone to tell him, “I think you are great and I will do anything for you” and on another note, what is the situation with Job? I mean bless his heart God made a bet with Satan about his devotion. I mean come on, doesn’t that sound a bit harsh?
Could this be the root of intolerance and devotion?

Hmmmm, Good point Anti Darwin but couldn't we also ask why then is she appealing the verdict if she knows what is waiting for her?
and why hasn't God given her any other handy suggestions to help get her out of this mess?

Answer 1

If I thought you really wanted an legitimate answer I'd write something. As it is though I believe you are only being harsh. I will say you won't find truth until you really search for it.

God bless.

Answer 2

Heb 11:17-18 Abraham had been promised that Isaac, his only son, would continue his family. But when Abraham was tested, he had faith and was willing to sacrifice Isaac,
Heb 11:19 because he was sure that God could raise people to life. This was just like getting Isaac back from death.

God made this request of Abraham before the Law was given. No where has God asked another person, in scripture, for any reason to sacrifice a person, except for Himself giving His son to die on the cross. Also, the Abraham/Isaac incident is a picture of what Christ was to do later, an "illustration" to be passed down through the generations.

Answer 3

two reasons why it's different-
God gave us free will. He needed to test abrahams faith wether he would believe god could raise up Isaac if he killed him. God knows what he wants us to do but that decision is left up to us.
Secondly, God stopped it and supplied a substitute sacrifice.
The parable is very hard to deal with. Sometimes it puts a bad light on god, making Abraham do that. It says a lot about Isaac's faith too. Just believe that God was teaching Abraham and never would have let anything happen to Isaac.

Answer 4

That's a good question. I recently studied Genesis in a bible study called "The Patriachs". When we covered this story, I learned the test wan't so much about "sacrifice" as it was about "faith". Abraham knew that if God intended to keep his covenant (all nations would be blessed through Abraham and therefore Isaac) that God was was going to either 1) Not let Isaac die 2) Bring him back to Life.

Answer 5

The point of Abraham is that his child (by the way was 30) knew of the sacrifice and was willing. It is a type of what would happen later when God and his son Jesus later Sacrificed for us. It showed they had faith sufficient to have the blessings that were in store for us through them. Job shows us that if we endure until the end the lord will bless us more than can be taken away from us.

Answer 6

GOD never intended for Abraham to kill his son. GOD had an Angel waiting there to stop him. What GOD needed was a Full Commitment from Abraham, to do this thing, with-out Abraham actually doing it. This opened the Door Legally between GOD and Mankind so that GOD could sent HIS SON to die on the CROSS.
We Human Being's do the same thing at time's with other People. You know, test them to see if they are worthy for us to enter in to a contract (mentally, verbally so on) and to make it a Humanly Contract (if you'll do this, then I'll do that). Don't we???

JOB, got into FEAR about his Family, and broke down the Hedge of Protection (Protection by Believing GOD)
by Praying in FEAR instead of FAITH. This allowed the Devil to kill, steal and destroy alot of what JOB had.
Fear open's the door to the Devil.
FAITH lock's the devil out.
GOD restored seven-time's what JOB had lost through FEAR.
The THEIF (Devil) has to restore seven-fold, when he is caught, according to the BIBLE.
GOD dosen't need us to tell HIM anything. GOD is a Giver of GOOD. GOD know's WHO HE is.
The BEST GIFT that HE can give US is HIMSELF.
GOD is GOOD.
Satan kill's, steal's and destroy's. Hope this helps.

Answer 7

I thought maybe he was a nut too, but don't forget that kid was born to a 90 something year old grandma. So, thats not Andrea Yates or Mariah Carey on Meth. And the kid was never in any danger, but I guess the poor kid and Abraham didn't know that, so it does seem harsh. I can see your point, but his faith was tested. Very cruel in todays standards.

As for Job, the point is that we all must suffer. I was in chronic pain for three years from burns and the story of Job was of great help. Basicly "****" happens and Job's friends tried to blame him and say that he sinned or offended god.

Answer 8

As for Abraham and Isaac, back then sacrificing children wasn't all that uncommon. God didnt really want him to sacrifice his child, he wanted to see if he WOULD do even that for God.

Job's story was tragic, but still fair; as the saying goes, God giveth and God taketh away. Health, riches, etc. are all gifts anyway, God was testing to see if Job was really in for the goods his faith had (apparently) brought him, or for God himself. And when he proved his faith, God redoubled his wealth, and more.

I think when people see those situations as unfair, it's because they take their meaning of fair from their own point of view, instead of what God's would be. Anyway, I'd like to thank you for asking those questions so respectfully; there was nothing offensive about them, they were just honest questions, way to set an example.

Answer 9

God had told Abraham before that Isaac would be the founder of a long line... Abraham had absolute faith in God and his Word... If God told him Iszzc would be the start of a great nation. yet also told him to kill Isaac... then Abraham was not going to disovbay God... Abraham had absolue faith that god would resolve the conflict.... And God did.

Abrahom needed to be showen that his Faith was genuine and known to God And that Abraham could trust God...

And We now have an example of one of True Faith.

I accept honest question from honest seekers concerning the Christian Faith. Or, you can check me out at:

http://pages.zdnet.com/mikevanauken/mikesinternetoutreach

All honest seekers welcome

Answer 10

The main difference in Abraham and Andrea Yates, is that Abraham was born and lived before Christ, and before the ultimate sacrifice of Christ.

Andrea Yates lived after the crucifiction and therefore blood sacrifices are no longer needed/wanted.

A person could argue that anyone that hears voices telling them to murder is crazy....but I suppose the fact that God stopped Abraham before he killed his son is the only proof we have that it was really God.

All other's hearing those voices...are hearing false voices or hallucinating.