A reader of the OrthodoxyToday post I referenced raised a few questions which led to this following post, which gives consideration to historical context. His conclusion is that the story is about God's fulfilment of promises.

http://www.orthodoxytoday.org/blog/index.php?p=514

It seems that Abraham and Isaac are on more minds than just mine right now. "OrthodoxyToday":http://www.orthodoxytoday.org just posted a brief article from Fr. Pat Reardon on Genesis 22. It focuses on typological prophecy.

http://www.orthodoxytoday.org/blog/index.php?p=493

Faith. From my current perspective it looks as if it is this which lies at the heart of my spiritual crises. And my approach to the problem has been rather analytical, a matter of sorting through mental and emotional associations to isolate the key issues -- if only I can find a definitive answer on "this" then I can walk forward, establishing myself in a framework of faith, and "life will then be good". Of course, I rarely admit to myself that I am quite so naïve, but at some level there is this child-like hope that if I can only have this one thing -- the answer to my question -- then all will be well. Call it "mental acquisitiveness".

Let's take a look at Abraham -- this time straight from Genesis 22:

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