The week after our first son was born, my husband was scheduled to preach on Genesis 22 and the story of Abraham's offering of Isaac. He had to change the sermon. As he told the congregation, he thought he didn't understand this story before. Now he knew he didn't.

Perhaps this text has bothered you as well. God's requirement seems so unfair, so unlike a Father of love. And Abraham's faith seems so far beyond human ability. As we'll learn, both appearances are deceiving.