This was prefaced in Genesis 20: 8 by King Ambimelech.

This ending is immensely dissatisfying to say the least. It feels like there is no resolution. The trauma that both Isaac and Abraham endured feels hardly justified by God’s blessing. Although, I have to admit that real life seldom feels fully resolved. I think this may have been part of the story’s purpose. It’s almost as if God was preparing Abraham for both the voluntary and involuntary sacrifices that his world will constantly and undoubtedly provide.

This call and answer is frequent. The repetition emphasizes Abraham’s commitment to God. It reminds me of a soldier being called to attention or called out to war. The response is delivered without emotion. It’s just a duty.

As this line is repeated, the readers realize that Abraham has no intention of giving into cold feet. In the Hollander reading, he reminds us that other religions actually promote detachment. Personal sacrifice is a means to an end much greater than human existence. Consider nirvana for those involved in Buddhist faith. Releasing material goods, relationships, emotions etc etc is encourages in order to free oneself from samsara (cycle of rebirth). Although Buddhism is a different religion altogether, what each faith asks of its followers is to strive for something larger than themselves. This mindset allows us to look Abraham’s decisions in a different light. Perhaps we were not to think that he is selfish or, that he abandoned his moral obligation as a father or his humanity. As people, we read the Bible thinking most characters in it, including God, think like us, feel like us, and behave like us. But, it’s possible that God and Abraham are not good, evil, or otherwise, simply indifferent.

Abraham is constantly lying throughout his story. Regardless of why or for the convenience of whom, this has become part of his character. Abraham endures a lot; but, it feels like he never experienced growth. He’s simply a pawn.

I wonder if Abraham was sparing the two boys from witnessing Isaac’s bear death or if God implied that he and Isaac should go alone. It could also be part of specific sacrificial practices. A covenant is an agreement or commitment. Religiously, this implies some sort of “chosen” title and a commitment. Abraham could have been under the pressure of both; however, God’s requests feel more binding than rewarding. More like a legal contract. This makes me question his motive in leaving the two men behind.

I would imagine that on a long, excruciating journey, Abraham could have been suffering silently. Trying to make peace with sacrificing your child is a heavy weight to carry, aside from the material weight of their supplies. Additionally, if we view Abraham’s silence as obedience, I think it’s important to remember that obeying a command and trusting the one who gave it to you are different things. Abraham’s actions may have more to do with his relationship to God than his true feelings.