Genesis 22-24 -- There were several factors in Jehovah's final test of Abraham. Child sacrifice was common among the Canaanites. Indeed, Mount Moriah ("Son of God") was later the Temple Mount, yet stood above the awful shrine of Molech, which lay in the Hinnom Valley. Worship of the god Molech ("King") included tossing children into the arms of his statute, which was formed on a large bronze oven. It's no wonder the Israelites later used this valley as a garbage dump, known in the New Testament as Gehenna. The peak of Mount Moriah was just above Salem, Melchizedek's city. Here it was, 50 miles (80 km) from Beersheba, that Abraham was to offer his son as a whole burnt offering. The writer of the New Testament Letter to the Hebrews states that Abraham had by this time enough confidence in Jehovah to believe Isaac could be resurrected (11:17-19).
On the heels of this pivotal event, Abraham received word that his brother's household in Charan was growing. It would be important good news in his determination to carry out his part of the covenant with Jehovah. It was followed in turn by the sadness of Sarah's death. Abraham had been living near the site of Hebron again. By this time, the Amorites had been displaced by Hittites ("Sons of Heth"). They would later conquer much of the Fertile Crescent in force during Israel's sojourn in Egypt.
After the days of mourning for Sarah, Abraham came before the local ruling council of the Hittites to buy a burial place. It is important to note that, if he had accepted the offer to use the land without purchasing it, he would have been subject to feudal obligations to the owner. Ephron ("Fawnlike") would have greatly benefitted from having a powerful prince like Abraham in his service. This service would have included participation in the worship of Ephron's household deities. Abraham dared not accept those terms. He embarrassed Ephron into selling a piece of land with little agricultural value. The whole transaction follows known Hittite customs, including the use of local currency and the mention of trees. It was thus necessary for Abraham to buy real estate in the land promised to his descendants.
Before his own burial in the Cave of Machpelah ("Fold" as in cloth), Abraham had to ensure Isaac didn't marry locally. Lot's experience illustrated the necessity of this. Abraham forced Eliezer to swear a powerful oath, signified by placing the servant's hand under his master's thigh. Eliezer thus left his entire household hostage during his absence, expecting their slaughter at the hands of Isaac if he proved disloyal in this mission. The servant had no trouble acting according to the customs of his former homeland. Rebekah's generous offer to water his camels was no mean feat. Each camel could drink as much as 30 gallons (113 liters), and there were ten of them. He gave her very fancy jewelry there at the well. To her family he offered very precious and rare gifts, to seal the betrothal, and to demonstrate his master's worthiness. Waiting to eat after relating his business was customary, as well as their asking Rebekah ("Fettering" as by her beauty) her wishes.
At this point, Isaac becomes the focus of the story. Dispatching Eliezer was Abraham's last official act as head of the household before vesting Isaac with that authority. Eliezer returns to a new master. While we see much less of the face to face interaction between Jehovah and Isaac, he is nonetheless inherits the full Covenant promises from his father.
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Ed Hurst
revised 29 January 2004
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