The Cut
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And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. Genesis 22:10
Stretched Out – Structure, structure, structure. The Hebrew verse begins with the verb. Of course it does. The verb is the reality of the story. This verb is shalah. Like other Hebrew verbs, it is a verb of motion. “To send forth, to let go, to put, to put forth, to reach out;” we might consider the way these actions are related. They are actions of separating. I send someone away. I let go of something. I put something somewhere. I thrust something away from me. And, on the continuum, I reach for something already separated from me. When Abraham stretches forth his hand, he separates himself from his son. This is the real story. The rest is commentary.
But the commentary is very important, for buried in the commentary is the knife – the ma’akelet – that cuts away what cannot stand between Abraham and God. This is the instrument of sacrifice. Not an ordinary blade, it is used to slaughter what must be offered to God. The ma’akelet is a physical manifestation of the action shalah. How could it be otherwise? The homophone of shalah is shelah the word for “weapon.” What separates is a weapon. It cuts the ties that bind.
Everything about this verse focuses on the action, not the people or the things. Of course, we read it from a different worldview. In our worldview, the things are most important. So we think that what matters here is Abraham, Isaac, the altar and the sacrifice. We do not see that this verse is about cutting bonds. The test that God presents to Abraham isn’t about a sacrifice at all. It is about cutting the bonds to those things that would tie Abraham to another destiny. God gives Abraham a choice. It is the same choice that we face, especially those of us who are saturated with Greek thinking. God’s choice is this: bind yourself to the things of your life – to your child – or cut those bonds and serve Me, the God who acts. Trust that your destiny is found in My actions, not in your attachments.
Abraham stretched forth his hand. That very act exhibited his trust in God. The verb is purposeful for in it is the weapon of separation. God stretches forth His hand in our lives. When He does, He cuts with a weapon of separation. He may use your failure, your loss, your distress, your despair, your anger, your envy, your fear or your anxiety. He will use whatever is required to cut you free from the bondage to things. He is the Hebrew God and the Hebrew God is the God of mighty deeds, gracious acts and merciful intervention. He is revealed in His acts. We are called to attach ourselves to those same actions – and send away what binds us to anything but him.
Stretch forth your hand. What does it hold? Does it hold the ma’akelet of separation?
Topical Index: stretch forth, shalah, knife, ma’akelet, separation, Genesis 22:10
Ooh. This hits home, especially as a mom. One of the biggest struggles that I find myself in is fearing for my children’s safety. I could imagine horrible situations and try to figure out how I’d get them out of it (it’s like that game or the TV show where it explained how to get out of these life-threatening situations). And then I read about a woman whose daughter taught her a valuable lesson – God has numbered my days, as He numbers the hairs on my head. He knows each one of them (and all the variations of them). He also loves my children. One of the hardest things I have to do is to stop holding on to them so tightly and fearing for their future. It seems like a daily thing that I have to release them back (metaphorically) into God’s care. Granted He always have them, but in my tendency to want to control the possible chaos in their lives (how very Greek of me), binding them tighter and tighter is the opposite direction from that which I want to go.
This commentary reminds me , again, that binding them tighter won’t make them safer or more mine. Rather, stretching out my hand, cutting the bonds, and releasing them to His protection and care is the ultimate goal and the ultimate need. I am still a steward for my children, but I can no more protect them than I can fly (although I think my son might figure out how to do that… he’s certainly trying).
Looking at this verse through the perspective of the verbs, I can more deeply understand what YHWH was asking of Abraham. Did Abraham understand that this was a test of his willingness to trust God’s plan and choose His path rather than the path that he could imagine, the one with Isaac? Does it matter? Do first, then if He wants He’ll explain. Sometimes it’s the doing without understanding, the choosing to walk the unknown, to let go, out of faith and out of love, that is the whole point of the test.
Sorry, that should be He always HAS them (not have).
Amanda.. you’re protective feelings toward your own children are not without merit. After all.. you are the “ezer!” (just as I am “the servant!”). But the delight here is to learn to live with “the open palm.”
(Skip.. sometime in the future if you could elucidate “the open palm.”) My oldest graduates today from college. “Kick it up-another notch!” She was home-schooled from day one and today graduating with a BA degree. She paints. The “old-fashioned” way- with oil, linen and brush.
How is she going to “make a living?”, I am asked. It is not about the money- it is about “doing” what you enjoy, I respond. Why is this so? (I really do enjoy asking why!- LOL!) Because dear friend- G-d made us all different! (Gasp!..)- that’s right- go ahead and take a breath. Just don’t forget where that breath came from.
Take a closer look at Abraham,Moses and Noah. I’ve picked those three “names” because they are known. Biblical celebrities. Biblical “names.” If I mentioned Moses, you would be able to distinguish between him and Noah. We “know” them because they are unique. Just like you and me. I love this quote: “Remember- you are unique … just like everyone else!”
My heavenly ABBA has gifted our family with my daughter. G-d dropped “a love bomb” on my wife and myself the day she was born. Her middle name is “Joy” and she is “well-named.” She is a delight to my (very protective!) wife and to myself. But once again- today- I have an opportunity to “trust” in my G-d for the future well-being of my daughter. As bluntly as I know how-(and I do know how to be “blunt” LOL- I will (gladly) say- if G-d doesn’t “do it” -it ain’t gonna get done. Today- I have (praise His Name- another opportunity to trust G-d.
How will this be accomplished? – by the “open palm”. I must (I MUST)- uncurl my fingers- or better yet- learn to travel through life with my empty hands held flat and extended toward heaven’s throne. This is learning to live with “the open palm.” Easy? -no way. Necessary? – absolutely.
If I have been “bought with a price” (and I have!), then I belong to Him. I am His (in the totality of my being- “whatever” that entails). I am “p-owned”. I have given unto Him everything. He owns the “all” of it.”
May I give you the details? He now -today- has been given- (or shall I say I have surrendered?) my time, my talents, my treasure, my testimony, my thoughts, my teeth and my tongue. Very interesting especially considering every one of “these” has been given to me in the first place! LOL!- All of life is a gift! (Get it? got it? good!-lol!) My friends, my fortune, my fame, my family, my future- He owns it all. Andrew Murray (some dumb ol’ Greek) has entitled this- (in what many believe to be his opus work), “Absolute Surrender.” Why is this necessary? (remember- I love asking why!-lol!)
Because dear friends and family – “this” is how it works. Absolute surrender to the LORDship of Jesus (who is the) Christ, Y’shua HaMashiach- KING of kings and LORD of lords. Short answer? (little late for that!)- He is the worthy ONE. (Amen?)
We (you and I) are in a blood covenant relationship with the G-d who now is. Look at the “root” of “covenant” and you will see the title of today’s word- “to cut”.
Who initiated the covenant with Abraham? G-d did. Who responded to G-d’s instructions? Abraham did. (excellent choice Abraham!- you done good.) He obeyed G-d-(and.. action!)- He took the knife (the instrument of slaughter) and raised it to slay (a knife or sword related word) his “only son whom he loved.” He “obeyed” G-d. “Shema” was exhibited in this man’s life for a witness to us. He (first) listened- and then he obeyed.
Faith is NOT a blind leap in the dark. It is NOT jumping off a cliff and then expecting G-d to catch you. Faith is our (right) response to what G-d says. G-d asked (not told!- remember “na?”) Abraham to sacrifice his “only begotten son.” And Abraham’s “response” was? – He saddled his donkey. He ‘busted a move’ and “obeyed.” First, he considered the Source. Who is this talking to me? Can He be trusted? Now let’s see..-I do have a history with Him- now -let me remember all the things G-d has done for me and all the ways He has continuously blessed me and daily loaded me with benefits. Look at that beautiful wife He provided for me and the victories I have witnessed because He is faithful. Can He be trusted? Even with my only son?- that which is more precious to me than my own life? Yes, Abraham.. Yes!! He is Able to do exceedingly above all that I ask or think! He is the “Holy ONE!” “Mighty G-d!” Fully able (and willing) and is a G-d of wonders! I will do what He asks of me. I will go where He says to go. I will give what He asks me to give. My G-d is worthy (of all!). Blessed be your Name! All to YHWH, I surrender- “all” to Him I freely give- I will ever love and trust Him- in His presence daily live.
Today, O LORD- may it be so, (in my life). My empty hands are lifted toward you, my wonderful Abba. Amen.
Shalom … way … way … behind … but I will try and catch up as fast as I can! 🙂
Skip … very “sharp” commentary. Peeling back the onion by investigating the Hebrew text may not significantly change the basic dynamic within the story. Using an English translation reference, one should still see (in faith) the “test” given to Abraham is one that will prove his loyalty … a test between YHVH and the desire of Abraham’s heart … the son of promise. …. Agreed?
Beyond this most basic construct however there is no comparison between the Hebrew …. and simply speaking anything else!
The second we see “shalach” in the context of send away or “cut off” … then the connection to not only “the knife” but “karat”/”cut off” becomes very clear … or at least for me! I agree Skip … when the light is shone upon the actions … the dynamic changes.
For if we can introduce “karat” into this picture we can not escape the eternal covenant. Just as Avraham had to “cut off” a bond that could prove to be idolatrous … so we need to let ha_Ruach circumcise deeply our hearts so that we can cut off our natural desires.
And this sure sounds like “a living sacrifice” … cut away the desires of our own heart so that we work for the desires of HIS perfect heart!
A very thought provoking commentary Skip!
b/t/w … if other folks are having as much trouble as I am in posting because of the anti-spamming validation … well … I can understand why comments are down in volume. This last posting took over 15 attempts … all using a variety of formatting (i.e. just entering the sum …. or physically typing in a+b=c) … you get the idea. There seems to be little rhyme or reason! AND if folks do not have their commentary on the clip board … then it goes by-by completely!
Perhaps some explanation …. or some investigation from the “tech geek” 🙂 is in order?
Hey Drew, SkipMoen.com was getting hammered by comment and trackback spam. So I implemented a few measures that helped, but apparently made things a bit difficult for others like yourself.
I just modified this though: I left the primary spam filter turned on, but turned off the “Did You Pass Math?” plugin that asked you to type in an answer to a question. Hopefully that helps and accomplishes both goals! 🙂
No Problem …. we shall see if it works.
Now on another issue. I posted a comment to “the ripple effect” and it did not update the blog. I just went to post it once again and I received a message “looks like a duplicate comment”.
Maybe you can check the blog database and see if 1) the comment is there and 2) if there is a status field value in the database preventing the the update?
Shalom
I found it and I believe it is posted now.
LOL!!! It took me a bunch of replies one time… and I thought I was losing it when it told me that 0+3 did not equal 3… And to top it off, I had just finished listening to the Hermeneutics mp3 about how 2+2=4 and axioms and such. I’m glad I wasn’t the only one having trouble!
Try adding the Akismet plugin. I use it and it works really well. I can’t remember the other one I use, but if I get a chance I’ll send it your way.
Peace!