Laughter

Inspired by a sermon this morning on Genesis 22.

A word behind

causing           commanding.

Once to leave home,

now to kill heir.

The mountain rising ahead,

looming          steep               worship

Future site of Jerusalem,

in sight of Golgotha.

Abraham—called to slaughter his son

laughter         joy                   fulfillment,

by a God who forsook His Son, the

Savior                         Light               Emmanuel,

Christ—endured the cross for the joy set before.

Rising early,

sorrowful       sleepless         silent

Sarah

where?           wondering?                absent?

A question:

burning          piercing          confused.

Sight confounded, answers unseen.

A journey:

inexplicable               long                 cruel.

“The Lord will provide—

for His own name’s sake.”

Honor at stake

Faithfulness, love to be proved.

A century old,

patriarch, possessor of

faith                hope               sacrifice.

Offspring

awaited          promised        given.

Hilarious fulfillment, reward of long trust.

God spoke to Abraham

as to a friend.

Of thirty-five times, the last a

portent           promise          prophecy

Isaac carried the wood for the altar.

One carried the wood on his back

Burning          Scarred           Whipped

Isaac young, unaware, realizing truth.

The aged father began to bind.

Christ as a lamb

Knowing         Willing            Obedient

to

Death              Darkness        Abandonment

Without Isaac,

no Israel, no blessing to the nations.

Without Emmanuel,

no atonement, no fellowship restored.

Afterward, worship to the God of a

Substitute      Sacrifice          Son

Provision, assuagement of

Wrath                         Anger              Justice

Holiness fulfilled

promise manifest

name glorified.

Death unveiled—a

Contradiction             Curse             Destroyer.

Now a

Foe                  Instrument                Gateway

to joy—laughter forevermore.