Sacrificing Izzy (Genesis 22)

AKEDAT YITCHAK (The Binding of Isaac)

Was Abraham a lousy dad?
Insane?
Did he pass or fail his "test"?
Did he misunderstand God's request?
"to bring up Isaac"
Was God cruel in asking Abe to do it? His "one and only son?" (Gen. 22:2)
What happened on that mountain, before Abe tied Izzy to the altar?
What happened when they came back down and went home to Sarah?
What about the 2 young guys who went with them, what did they talk about while they waited at the bottom of the mountain?

What does it say about Islam, that one of the holiest places for them is the spot on which it's believed Abraham nearly murdered his son? Dome of the Rock?
That's not totally fair, since it is also the spot from which they believe Mohammed ascended to heaven on his horse (like John Wayne).
Which, of course, is ridiculous because that's not the way Prophets die!
As we all know Elijah ascended to heaven in a gold and diamond flaming chariot with flaming horses (they were FABULOUS studs!)(2nd Kings 2:8, but we'll get to that).
Now THAT'S an exit! Ha! Beat that, mo-mo.


Is Abraham our inspiration? Our role model?

Some Christians look at the "Binding of Isaac" as a precursor to Jesus, how God sacrificed his "son"... or whatever.

I am reminded of the words of President Josiah Bartlet, from Aaron Sorkin's "The West Wing"-- season 3, episode 1, written and aired three weeks after 9/11,
titled (what are the odds?) "Isaac and Ishmael",

When asked if there something noble in being a martyr, President Bartlet says,

"We don't need martyrs right now, we need heroes.
A hero would die for his country, but he'd much rather live for it."