As we continue our Advent series on the Stump of Jesse, we come to the binding of Isaac. This account is appropriately upsetting for anyone who asks the question: what can God rightly ask of me? The underlying issue is a question of trust. Do I think he's the kind of being who would take advantage of me for his own whims? And with what he asks of Abraham, the answer appears to be terrifying. What could be more seemingly opposite of Christmas than asking for a child to be sacrificed? Wait. Herod. Right. But if God can ask horrific things like this, how could Christmas be 'good will toward men'? Let's talk about God's provision and 'the Ram' (Gen.22:1-14).
