One of the most well-known stories in the Old Testament–God commanding Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac–is also one of the most infamous. 

My husband says that this passage haunts him. During law school, his classmates would reference Genesis 22:1-19 as evidence of the destability of God. How could a good God possibly command something so vile? Atheist Richard Dawkins calls it a “disgraceful story.” 

But when we look at this story in light of God’s plan to save his people through the death of his son, I think we will find that it isn’t a “disgraceful story” at all. Instead, it is a grace-filled one.

Genesis 22:1-19 is about fully trusting in the character, promises, and power of God even when we don’t understand what He is doing. It’s an account of faith and obedience, even when it requires belief in the miraculous.