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Ellie Jones

Miss Akers

Honors English 9

19 October 2017

Abraham is the husband of Sarah, where him and his descendants narratives take place in

the book of Genesis. His faith strongly lies on God and often is given tasks to complete, one in

which to sacrifice his own son. This is undoubtedly the most significant mission he has ever

received, considering it is his most favored son, there is definitely a sorrowing choice to be

made. Abraham is analyzed in the form of murdering his son, which him and his wife struggled

hard to get, to prove his trust and devotion for the Lord.

The first example of suffering Abraham was put through is when him and his wife, are

not able to conceive children of their own. They together, tried for so long to bear a child, but in

the end always failed; even at one point letting their maid serve as a holder for Abrams baby.

God noticed what they were going through and decided to help Sarah birth their child: I will

return to you at the same season next year, and Sarah shall have a son (74). All Abraham and

Sarah wanted was a baby and for a lengthy time they were unable to, until God blessed them

with the ability to have one of their own. At their surprise and hard work, they were in absolute

love with the child they named Isaac, which means to laugh, showing the positive outlook

Isaac was given.

The second example of Abrahams struggle shown in BAIL, is the mental dilemma of

having to choose between God and his son. Abraham is told by God that he needs to complete

one task as a test for his belief and concern in the Lord: Take your son, your favored one, Isaac,

whom you love, and go to the land Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering (75). This
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leaves Abraham baffled, as he has just been told to kill the son he tried so hard and long to

achieve. This leaves him with an unimaginable decision, if he were to choose God, hed have to

kill his beloved Isaac, but if he chose to disobey God and spare his son, hed have to face the

wrath God would bestow upon him. Therefore, this heavy burden laid on his chest leaves him

with a painful fate for not only his son, but his conscience.

The final suffering Abraham is but through is his life changing decision to sacrifice his

son, out of fear from God. Abraham has to carry out the plan and has to lie to his servants and

son to execute the horrendous task: He bound his son Isaac; he laid him on the altar, on top of

the wood and Abraham picked up the knife to slay his son (76). It is incomprehensible to

imagine the heartache and pain he is going through while having to deceivingly lead his son to

Moriah and bind him together. Abraham is portrayed in The Bible, as a truly good man, thus

means he has morals telling him murdering and deception is wrong, which is why this is such a

tough choice.

In conclusion, God puts Abrahams strength through trials and much suffering to reveal

his faith and fear in the Lord. He especially goes through trying times when he is unable to have

a child with his wife, has to choose between his son or God, and when he ultimately has to

decide to murder his son. All of his struggles are crucial in his role in The Bible, because it lead

to three major Abrahamic religions including Islam, Christianity, and Judaism, which are widely

known religious practices today. Therefore, Abraham went through the grueling events to bring

many people to believe, practice, and follow the word of God.