Worth discussing….
“By Trey Ferguson @PastorTrey05 on X
I have become FASCINATED by the biblical story of Isaac.
I had a shower thought that turned into a bit of a whale hunt for me.
But here it is: if you read Isaac as intellectually disabled, nothing about him makes less sense and a whole lot of stuff makes more sense.
Isaac’s parents were old as all get out when they had him.
100 & 90. And that’s a MAJOR emphasis in the story. “These people are REALLY old.”
Nowadays, advanced maternal age is associated with all sorts of potential complications.
Including fetal chromosomal abnormalities.
But read the story!
The name “Isaac” is explained as
“people will laugh with us.”
But another possible rendering of the meaning of that name is “laugh *at* us.”
As in, “we’ll be laughingstocks.”
Which would explain why Sarah reacted that way to Ishmael’s mirth.
Isaac is alone among the patriarchs in needing a broker/ mediator for finding a spouse.
Isaac is alone in only procreating once (it was twins).
Isaac was fooled by one son pretending to be another, and his wife expected him to fall for it.
There’s breadcrumbs EVERYWHERE.
Now, I am NOT saying that Genesis unequivocally presents an intellectually disabled Isaac.
(The Bible doesn’t really name intellectual disabilities as such)
i’m saying that there is something awe inspiring *to me* if the origin story of a people DOES include such a person.
I never get tired of reading the Bible, because there are SO many ways to read it.
And many of those ways can lead us to more expansive views of God’s care for humanity. All of it.
Even the people and traits that our own comfort might cause us to miss in the text.
Anyway, l hope y’all have a great day.
Find somebody who needs to be
reminded that they are loved by God…
and remind them.”
CB Byrd’s thoughts:
Our church has a group of young adults who are intellectually and, in some cases , physically disabled, as well. They have aged out of local educational resources and meet four mornings a week for Bible study, crafting and recreational activities, life skills development, service projects in our church and in the community, field trips, entertainment, and fellowship. They are called the “AOK” (Acts of Kindness) group. They have a devoted group of sponsoring adults who assist in planning and overseeing their activities. They are a fun and delightful group of people who greatly enrich our fellowship.
I had never considered such disabled persons possibly being hidden right before our eyes in the Bible! It does, however, make sense that among all the less-than -perfect people among the lineage of Christ, such beloved children might exist. I, too, am in awe of and enlarged in my view of God’s goodness to think God might include among the patriarchs of God’s people one who might have required more assistance with life skills and decision making by his parents. It certainly makes Isaac’s cooperative spirit on Mt. Moriah more understandable if he was somehow not fully grasping the gravity and implications of the situation and was simply trusting entirely in his Father’s leading and instruction.
I recall reading a nurse’s account of giving birth to a Down’s Syndrome child against the advice of healthcare providers. Her faith and trust in God equipped her to embrace, love, and nurture her child who was considered disabled and “less than” by the world’s standard of perfect children. Her opinion is that we, as a society, need such persons in our midst to foster greater human compassion, empathy, patience, unconditional love, and trust in God’s purpose and plan in people’s lives.
I have certainly been delightfully surprised by the loving gift of our AOK group in our midst. They set a standard of lovingkindness and acceptance of themselves and others that is an example and inspiration to us all.
In the same way that Malcolm Gladwell’s eye-opening perspective on the battle between David and Goliath reframed my childhood view and made God’s use of David even more awe-inspiring and personal, Pastor Trey’s “shower thought” gives me greater joy in considering God’s special provision for and inclusion of those the world is likely to dismiss or ignore.