By Tom Thomas
It was a long drive from Bangalore to Mangalore and we had started late afternoon. The zigzagging ghat roads were taking their toll on me, we were due to reach our destination post 10.00 pm. Suddenly, breaking the monotony of the dark drive, about a couple of hours before Mangalore, a red sign lit up the darkness: “Moriah Retreat Center,” it said.
This set me thinking as I drove on. Moriah! The land of mountains, comprising Calvary (the highest peak) , Zion, Olives, Moriah and others. It there where Abraham was called to sacrifice Isaac as mentioned in Genesis 22. hat would it mean if one is called upon by the Lord to give up what is one’s most precious possession on earth? That is exactly what Isaac was to Abraham and what Abraham was called to do by the Lord. Surely the toughest test that Abraham had ever faced (and he had seen quite a few such decisive moments in his life till this point!). The journey to the sacrificial place took three days, and we are told that Abraham obeyed the Lord without question; rising up early in the morning to do as the Lord had commanded he started the arduous trek with his son Isaac. At some point, his beloved son, Isaac, also asked the question about the sacrificial animal. But Abraham answered that the Lord would provide and indeed the Lord did provide at the very last instant. Abraham’s hand was held back mysteriously from striking the mortal blow on his son Isaac. The Lord pointed out a ram in the thicket. It is also remarkable to reflect on the obedience of Isaac to his father throughout the journey. We read in Genesis 22: 15-19 the tremendous seven-fold blessings that he received because of his absolute obedience to God.
As I reflected on this train of thought while the miles went by, I found myself marveling at the mindset of Abraham – a father just like me. Abraham has been blessed unlike anyone else in the Bible for obeying the Lord completely. I wonder why the Lord asked Abraham to sacrifice Isaac? Was it a test? Maybe it was because of the exceeding fondness and affection that Abraham bestowed on Isaac, the child of his old age, that it was a test from the Lord to see if Abraham would keep the Lord first in his life. Thinking about the agonizing thoughts of Abraham as he journeyed with his beloved son over the three days, were also almost too much to bear. I wonder what I would do if I were in his position, certainly would not be as strong as Abraham in obeying the Lord.
We each have a ‘Moriah’ to face. A place where we are tested to put the Lord first in our lives! Where do we stand in such moments? Do we really believe that the Lord will truly look out for us no matter how the dark and desperate the situation is, though the Lord looks out for our welfare always? Let us be assured. The Lord will provide. Always. As He did for Abraham and all the descendants of Abraham.
With these thoughts, I realized that I had almost arrived at my destination. Thank you, Lord, for helping us to face the ‘Moriahs’ in our lives…