Josh, this is great. Many of these are questions I have pondered too. And I've wondered if that was why Rebekah could manipulate Isaac to bless his children the wrong way round because he was so desperate to please after the trauma he'd gone through. Questions I will take into my day. Thank you
Thank you for putting this into words I’ve asked at several Bible studies: “don’t you wonder if Isaac was traumatized?” And people look at me like I am crazy.
Always struggled with this instruction by God - testing obedience of Abraham is one thing… but what of Isaac’s feelings and trauma ?… you nailed this in your words… but what words would use Josh in answer to ‘What kind of God asks a Father to do that to his son?’…… and I hear your answer brewing and stewing on the cross.
As an adult I am re-reading many well-known Bible stories with new eyes. Just THIS morning I was reading this account in my devotions and thought "I wonder if Isaac dealt with serious PTSD the rest of his life from this". And then thought....I've never heard anyone ever talk about that. Then this evening I opened my email and boom....your writing.
Finding out your entire existence was just another test for your father would tend to lead to questioning. Was he as fungible, as replaceable as Job's kids?
Sooooo good! These are the kind of questions I'm pondering to myself in bible study groups but never dare utter out loud. Thank you for being courageous and sharing this piece, it truly spoke to my soul
This is a phenomenal and thought-provoking piece of art. Thank you for writing this!
I have often wondered, "What happened to Isaac after the mountain?" I find it interesting that Gen. 22:1 tells us Abraham went up with two servants and Isaac. In Gen. 22:19, Abraham came down the mountain and went to his servants. Where was Isaac? Abraham stayed in Beersheba, but chapter 23 tells us that Sarah died in Hebron, and Abraham went to her. Was he not with Sarah after the mountain-top moment? Genesis 24:62 is the next time we hear about Isaac, and he is living in the Negev. Not with Abraham. Was there a rift in the family after the test? I often meditate on this, and your poem so beautifully articulated my questioning.
Walking in the will of God isn’t easy. It sometimes requires sacrifice. I wonder whether the family unit was sacrificed so a nation could be born. 🤷🏻♀️
“And Isaac went out to meditate in the field in the evening..”
Genesis 24:63a NKJV
Maybe this aspect of him comes from his memory of being up the mountain and on the altar as a sacrifice.
“Living in the trauma of his obedience” There is another Beloved Boy who lived this line
Josh, this is great. Many of these are questions I have pondered too. And I've wondered if that was why Rebekah could manipulate Isaac to bless his children the wrong way round because he was so desperate to please after the trauma he'd gone through. Questions I will take into my day. Thank you
Thank you for putting this into words I’ve asked at several Bible studies: “don’t you wonder if Isaac was traumatized?” And people look at me like I am crazy.
Always struggled with this instruction by God - testing obedience of Abraham is one thing… but what of Isaac’s feelings and trauma ?… you nailed this in your words… but what words would use Josh in answer to ‘What kind of God asks a Father to do that to his son?’…… and I hear your answer brewing and stewing on the cross.
Thank you for that gift of words
Love this!!
Wonderful... I'm guessing you've come across J. Richard Middleton's Abraham's Silence? If not, I think you'd enjoy it based on how you wrote this.
So very thought provoking !!
Historically , maybe our meditation in scripture would reduce our need for as much in-depth Freudian therapy .
Just thinking .......
"Your will , not mine Oh Lord "
Thank you for sharing this perspective of this Bible story !!!!!
As an adult I am re-reading many well-known Bible stories with new eyes. Just THIS morning I was reading this account in my devotions and thought "I wonder if Isaac dealt with serious PTSD the rest of his life from this". And then thought....I've never heard anyone ever talk about that. Then this evening I opened my email and boom....your writing.
wow!!
Finding out your entire existence was just another test for your father would tend to lead to questioning. Was he as fungible, as replaceable as Job's kids?
oooft. This is incredible. Thank you for sharing.
Amazing 🌺🌿💯
Sooooo good! These are the kind of questions I'm pondering to myself in bible study groups but never dare utter out loud. Thank you for being courageous and sharing this piece, it truly spoke to my soul
Takes your breath away.
This is a phenomenal and thought-provoking piece of art. Thank you for writing this!
I have often wondered, "What happened to Isaac after the mountain?" I find it interesting that Gen. 22:1 tells us Abraham went up with two servants and Isaac. In Gen. 22:19, Abraham came down the mountain and went to his servants. Where was Isaac? Abraham stayed in Beersheba, but chapter 23 tells us that Sarah died in Hebron, and Abraham went to her. Was he not with Sarah after the mountain-top moment? Genesis 24:62 is the next time we hear about Isaac, and he is living in the Negev. Not with Abraham. Was there a rift in the family after the test? I often meditate on this, and your poem so beautifully articulated my questioning.
Walking in the will of God isn’t easy. It sometimes requires sacrifice. I wonder whether the family unit was sacrificed so a nation could be born. 🤷🏻♀️
Absolutely love the way you are thinking about and unpacking this. So many brilliant questions Erika