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In some novel, the author discussed Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac [0] as not a test of Abraham by God, but a test of God by Abraham. As in, 'I am about to murde
by ethbr1 2y ago
In some novel, the author discussed Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac [0] as not a test of Abraham by God, but a test of God by Abraham.
As in, 'I am about to murder my only son on your orders. If you are indeed the kind of god who would order me to do such a thing, then we'll see where that leaves us...'
That interpretation always struck me as truer to Old Testament tone.
[0] https://biblehub.com/kjv/genesis/22.htm https://biblehub.com/kjv/genesis/22.htm
- mhuffman 2y agoI don't know. If memory serves life was pretty cheap in the old testament with millions being murdered and everyone(?) killed if you count the flood.
- ethbr1 2y agoWeren't those non-believers, though? Old Testament God is pretty firm on that line. :D
- edflsafoiewq 2y agoWithin the context of the narrative, Isaac's importance to Abraham was practically infinite.
- kristianbrigman 2y agoAt the time, child sacrifice was apparently common, enough that if a country was in trouble, the populace would demand the king sacrifice his kid to save the country (even shown in scripture … see 2 kings 3:27 though later in time). This was a very _public_ display that this God does not want that. In short, it wasn’t really a test of either one, it was a public declaration that child sacrifice is bad.
- kridsdale3 2y agoDidn't work out very well for Stanis Baratheon either.
- chowells 2y agoSounds like Dan Simmons' Hyperion and Fall of Hyperion. I think that particular bit was in the second book, but Sol spent a lot of time grappling with Abraham in both.
- ethbr1 2y agoThat sounds correct and in keeping with the themes!