“It makes for a harmonious marriage,” they said. “She will respect you more if you involve her in every decision,” they said.

Yeah. Right!

But my father Terah and the other elders had never had to reckon with the Lord. They had a settled life; since leaving Haran, mine had been an unpredictable journey. The Lord called me to do things and He didn’t tell Sarah. That made it awkward. Was I really supposed to sell His call to her before I did what He said?

Look what happened all those years ago when Sarah and I talked about having a son. That affair with her maid, Hagar (Genesis 16:1-16). I was stupid enough to follow Sarah’s suggestion, and it led to nothing but trouble.

Honestly, she doesn’t seem to have faith like me. Remember how she laughed when she overheard our three visitors say we would have a son before a year was out (Genesis 18:1-15).

Now He’s telling me to offer Isaac as a burnt offering! Involve Sarah; are you kidding? I know what will happen.

“Abe. Your brain is finally as decayed as your body. Or did you eat one of those poisonous desert plants that grow around here?”

“No, Honey. The Lord spoke to me.”

“The Lord would NEVER tell you to do something like that, you stupid man.”

“Listen Sarah. I know this sounds odd but I think God might even bring Isaac back to life again” (Hebrews 11:19).

“Abraham! Stop. Now.”

“But —”

“Abraham! We waited almost a hundred years for Isaac. Do you know how hard it was for me to have him? You leave that boy alone. Do you hear?”

She would have dozens of logical arguments and rebuttals. No amount of persuasion would convince her to let me take Isaac to Moriah. Instead, I would probably get discouraged and start to question myself. Occasionally, sharing with other people is a bad idea; there’s only one answer—private obedience.

So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him and Isaac his son; and he split wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him.” (Genesis 22:3)