Abraham didn't Screen his calls

On the second day of Rosh Hashana we read the Torah reading that mentions the binding of Isaac. It begins with a very strange statement (Gen 22:1) – And if happened after these things that God tested Avraham and said to him, “Avraham” and he replied, “Here I am.”

Then God goes ahead and tells Abe to drag the boy up the hill, tie him down and just go to town. In most counts, this command is the tenth of a series of tests – check out the lists in the ArtScroll Chumash (pages 100 and 101) if you want to check. But I disagree. I’m not saying that it wasn’t a test to be told to kill your boy, but I think the essence of the test is in the first verse.

God has spoken to Avraham before. He appeared in a vision, he visited after the circumcision, and he just shows up and gives commands or reassurances. One moment God isn’t there and then God is. Abe sits around and then, poof, God tells him the whatfor. But not here. Remember, Avraham has fought kings, moved his entire family, had his wife kidnapped, had to bargain for people and then save Lot, deal with famine and trust that he wouldn’t die childless. He was old. He was tired, and no doubt, he was still smarting from having to cut off his own foreskin.

Then the phone rang.

God didn’t just appear and give an order. God didn’t materialize in a vision or a dream, or even poof, show up as a disembodied voice and tell Avraham what to do. He called ahead. What was the test? At this point, Abraham figured that he was done and he just wanted maybe a nice nap. But he knows that if he picks up that phone, if he acknowledges that God is calling him, there is going to be a demand. He finally has a son and he wants some rest. The easy thing to do would be the ignore the phone, try to avoid any more conflict. This is the test. When you have a chance to think before you engage, do you still engage? Is it ever “enough”? God wants to see if Avraham has drawn a line and just wants to be left alone. But Abe steps up and picks up the phone on the first ring. He says “I am here – whatever you want” even when he knows that something difficult will no doubt be demanded. The superhero doesn’t get a day off. Being asked to sacrifice his son is almost anti-climactic after that. Of course he will comply! He picked up the phone knowing that God will want the impossible. By the time he says “here I am” he is already passing the test.

Compare this to a little bit ahead, in verse 7. Avraham is trekking with the boy, alone. There is an uneasy silence and then Isaac decides to ask the obvious question. He works up the courage “Then Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, ‘father’ –”

That’s all he says initially. “Father.” And Abraham, knowing what is coming, knowing the uncomfortable conversation about to happen chooses not to ignore his son. He doesn’t hum louder or pretend to be busy with something else. He picks up quickly and, again says “here I am.” Another test. Can he face his son when it all gets really real? Yes. The superhero mans up and engages. He doesn’t hide.

During this season, and in our lives, can we have the strength of Abraham and answer that phone on the first ring even though we know we will be asked something difficult? Can we answer the voices around us with equanimity and grace even when we know that conversation will be a tough one?

May we all find the strength to accept the charges.