March 16, 2015 - Slaves; Abrahamic Tests

1. * indicates doctrinal significance
2. *Gen. 22:4 - It is difficult to translate the word "Na'ari", into English. The same word is used for Abraham's servants and his son, Isaac. It has the context of belonging to Abraham, servants, slaves, etc. 
3. *Slaves - This word has negative context in English. I think of task masters with whips. However, ancient apostles referred to themselves as 'slaves' to the Lord's work, and used expressions like "We are bought with a price". Brother Satterfield said "I would be God's slave any day - He treats his slaves really well". Unlike Lucifer. In short, we should not judge scriptures and the people for using phrases like this using our cultural norms... as if to say our cultural norms have gotten it right??!?! We should seek to be "Na'arim"(slaves) of Abraham, or Christ, or the Father.
4. How old was Abraham/Isaac at the time of the test? No one is certain, but the Hebrew account of Josephus (Apocryphal ancient writings?) said Abraham was 125 years old (100 years old when he and Sarai bore Isaac), so Isaac would have been about 25 years old. The Old Testament study manual puts Isaac at 33, but this is probably speculation based on the strong comparisons that exist between Isaac as a Type of the Savior.
5. **Gen 22:4 - "And he lifted up his eyes"... this is a possible indication of the state of depression, remorse, or whatever the right word for the deep feelings Abraham must have experienced the previous three days of his journey, knowing what he was about to do to his son.