Rabbi Yosef Ibn Caspi (Spain, early 14th century) wrote that Abraham's "imagination" led him astray, making him believe that he had been commanded to sacrifice his son"⁵.

The Old Testament bible seems split about animal sacrifice. The earlier prophets espouse sacrifice, and details commandments from God on when, what and how to sacrifice. Prophets in the latter part are more critical of ritualistic sacrifices.

Question: What is the connection of this with Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac?

God’s answer:

Question: Please confirm.

God’s answer:

God is referring to the part of the story where an angel stopped Isaac from doing so.

Question: Please confirm all your answers.

God’s answer:

Question: The phrase taken out of context means “[of an utterance or the report of an action] removed from the surrounding context of the event, thereby misrepresenting the intent of the utterance or report.”⁶ I don’t quite see how this definition applies to the story of Abraham. Can you give me another example of how your word that was taken out of context, as it relates to sacrifices pleasing you?

God’s answer:

God is referring to this story: Genesis 4:2-7

Abel became a herder of flocks, and Cain a tiller of the ground. In the course of time Cain brought an offering to the LORD from the fruit of the ground, while Abel, for his part, brought the fatty portion* of the firstlings of his flock.

The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry and dejected.

Then the LORD said to Cain: Why are you angry? Why are you dejected? If you act rightly, you will be accepted; but if not, sin lies in wait at the door: its urge is for you, yet you can rule over it.

Question: How was this taken out of context?

God’s answer:

Question: But in reading further, it says that the reason why you didn’t accept the sacrifice is because Cain was not righteous.

God’s answer: