A Ram in the Thicket

Our Bible study group last week at church struggled with the Old Testament story of Abraham, who after being childless for one hundred years, was finally sent a son. His name was Isaac. Yet the irony of the story is that God tells Abraham to take his son up to a mountaintop and sacrifice him. Some read the piece and suggest that Abraham came through the test by God splendidly since he was willing to do so. Others say, "No, Abraham failed because, while he could debate the saving of the people in Sodom and Gomorrah with God, he would not debate the sacrifice of his son."

To me, the real interest of the story is the ram in the thicket, a sacrifice provided when God tells Abraham at the last moment not to kill his son but kill the animal instead (I am aware that animal rights' activists will not like either choice). For me the story is much more about God's grace, instead of Abraham's obedience and faith.

As I reflect upon my life, I think of many instances where a ram in the thicket has been provided. Some are small suggestions of grace, and others are much bigger. Two examples will suffice. Ten years ago one of my best friends and I got into a silly argument that escalated into telling each other everything we had always hated about each other. She listed four items on her list while I had just one, but it was a devastating attack. We have not seen each other for a decade. Last January I sent her a copy of my two books, one a family memoir and the other a spiritual journey. I heard nothing for nine months. Last week I received an invitation to her only daughter's wedding. She extended, while not exactly a ram in the thicket, an olive branch.

A larger example of God's providing a ram in the thicket involves finances. A number of years ago I got a call from a friend who said she and her family were coming to visit for a week. My husband and I were absolutely without funds even for groceries. At that time an acquaintance called to ask if I would sell my piano. I did gladly and, therefore, was able to buy groceries for the upcoming visit.

Our conservative denominations among us believe in the literalness of the Scripture while more liberal denominations believe that it is more symbolic and metaphorical. I do not have a problem believing in both and that the Scripture has many applications for our lives today.