Festival of the Sacrifice

Starting today, adherents to the fastest growing religion in the world will celebrate one of their greatest holy festivals. The festival is called Eid al-Adha (feast of the sacrifice). Of the world’s nearly 2 billion Muslims, each of the capable and practicing adherents will participate by slaughtering a sheep, goat, cow or camel. The meat is then to be generously shared with family, friends and the poor. They make their sacrifice to recognize the obedience of Ibrahim (Abraham) in the sacrifice he was willing to make.

You remember the story—it’s told in both the Bible and the Quran. God called Abraham to sacrifice his son. Abraham willingly obeyed God’s command, took his son, laid him on an altar, and prepared him for sacrifice. But God was gracious and stayed Abraham’s hand before he was able to plunge the knife into his son and provided an animal for sacrifice in his stead.

The story in the Quran is similar to the biblical account, but with significant differences. Islamic tradition claims Ishmael as the son who was to be sacrificed, while the Bible states it was Isaac. As the Prophet dictated the Quran and as his followers expounded it, they changed the historical names as an attempt to bolster the esteem of their people, Ishmael’s seed, and degrade the esteem of Israel. But in their attempt to “make a name for themselves”, they missed the entire point of the historical event.

In testing Abraham, God required the sacrifice of his only son. Earlier, out of his impatience and lack of faith, Abraham had an illegitimate son with his handmaiden. But Israel was the son of promise. God promised Abraham a legitimate son and He miraculously provided that son, despite the physical impossibilities that stood in the way. Then, within a few short years, God required that son back from Abraham. Through the years, Abraham had learned of the faithfulness of God. Because of God’s faithfulness, his faith had grown to the point that he would respond to God’s will, no matter how much it didn’t make sense at the time.

Here is what Abraham knew: he knew that God had promised him a seed through which the whole world would be blessed. He knew that God had given him that promised seed in his son, Isaac. So when God required Isaac from him, he knew that God had a greater plan (Hebrews 11:19). And what a plan He had!

As Isaac lay bound on the altar and watched his father draw the blade which was determined to take his life, God intervened. He provided a substitute. Isaac was supposed to die to satisfy God’s will—but God intervened and supplied a substitute. Of course, we know this was a prophetic picture of what God would do through His Son on the cross of Calvary. God’s blade of judgment was poised to take our life, but God Himself stepped in as our substitute. He supplied the sacrifice that He required, and the only suitable sacrifice was His own Son.

As the Muslims in your community celebrate their Feast of the Sacrifice today, remember the purpose of Abraham’s sacrifice and the ultimate sacrifice it pointed to. If you know a Muslim, wish him “Eid Mubarak” (blessed festival) and use the opportunity to share with them the purpose of the sacrifice they are celebrating in ignorance.