Abraham read the script, obviously!

[Bad Writer]

Though the story of how Abraham almost sacrificed Isaac Genesis 22:1-16 is a well-known one that transcends the three major world religions: Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. All three faiths, no matter the denomination, take this story to show how great Abraham's faith was in the Lord, that was willing to obey any commandment with blind obedience, even to the point of sacrificing his own son on an altar. Christianity even goes so far as to pair up this story and its symbollism to Christ's own atoning sacrifice for humanity...but in that version God actually kills his own son.

This would be a tremendously difficult thing for any loving father to undertake, that is, to kill one's own son. Imagine what would have happened if he had gone through with it! To all outside observers, Abraham would be convicted of premeditated murder. But the Bible would still paint a picture of him as the most perfect of the patriarchs, willing to lie (like telling Pharoah that his wife was actually his sister...even though she kind of was anyway, ew) and even kill (his own son or anyone else) for the Holy One of Israel.

If a person commits murder, but tells the public that the Lord told them to do it, not only would they be locked away for their heinous act, but they would also be labled crazy. Why was Abraham any less crazy for thinking that he heard God tell him to do it?

Obviously this man had no troubles with this act because the author knew the ending already! His character, Abraham, essentially read the script, so he knew before it happened that the Angel would come down and stay his hand. "Reading the Script" is a term movie and theatre critics alike use to reference how an actor or player telegraphed what to the audience that he/she already knows what's going to happen in a scene or in the plot. This is done by actions, words, and even inaction. The evidence for Abraham's foreknowledge, that he knew everything would turn out okay, was his actions. He's committed to his role as a storybook character, but not enough as to keep his knowledge of the author's intent a secret.

I can imagine Abraham getting to the point of sacrificing his son, and then the angel shows up a little late. Abraham: "Okay, Lord, all the preparations are complete. You can come out now! Come on! Where's your angel to stay my hand? You're missing your cue!"

Abraham was never going to murder his son, and Isaac was never in any real danger. They are characters in a book, and you can't punish or kill what's not there.