CAST
ANGEL 1
ANGEL 2
ANGEL 3
ABRAHAM
SARAH
GOD
NARRATOR
LOT
WIFE
MAID
ISAAC

* * *
ANGEL 1: Boy, is it hot out here! How did we end up with this assignment?
ANGEL 2: I don’t know, but someone up there is probably enjoying this.
ANGEL 3: I always thought of myself as a pretty good angel. When the Boss called me in and said, “I have a mission for you,” I was thinking of the Riviera or Las Vegas. I didn’t expect the Canaan desert.
ANGEL 1: Look, there’s a tent up ahead.
ANGEL 2: Someone’s standing in front of it.
ANGEL 3: He’s coming toward us. It looks like Abraham.
ANGEL 1: He’s one of God’s favorites.

ABRAHAM: Hello, strangers! Welcome to my tent. It’s my pleasure to serve you. You look like you need some water, a foot bath, some bread, and a tree to recline under. What do you say? Sarah, three measures of flour, one choice calf, and some milk, please.
SARAH: Is that for here or to go?
ABRAHAM: For here or to go, fellas?
ANGEL 3: For here.
ABRAHAM: Well, sit under any tree you like.
ANGEL 1: We would like to give you something for your kindness.
ABRAHAM: Please don’t — it’s on the tent.
ANGEL 2: Abraham, I will return to you next year when your wife Sarah will have a son.
SARAH: I heard that. Ha! As a matter of fact, double ha! Look at me. How old do you think I am? Don’t answer. I am pretty
old, and we’ll keep it at that.
GOD: Abraham, why did Sarah laugh and question having a child at her age? Let me remind you that for God, nothing is impossible.
* * *
NARRATOR: [booming voice] TIME PASSES
* * *
MAID: Mazel tov, everybody! Sarah has had a baby boy!
SARAH: It is just as God promised.
MAID: What are you going to name him?
SARAH: Isaac, which means laughter, because I laughed when God promised me a child.
ABRAHAM: Isaac has been circumcised. Eight days old and so cute!
NARRATOR: And when Isaac was two, Abraham held a great feast.
SARAH: Abraham, I would like to talk with you.
ABRAHAM: It’s a party. Can’t it wait?
SARAH: Ishmael is playing with Isaac.
ABRAHAM: Isn’t that sweet?
SARAH: Look into my eyes. Does it look like I think it’s sweet?
ABRAHAM: If looks could kill, I’d be dead. What do you want? Anything you want I’ll do.
SARAH: Get rid of them. I want them out. Ishmael will be a bad influence. He will not share the inheritance.
ABRAHAM: That’s harsh. He is my son also.
GOD: May I interject a few words? Do what Sarah says, because your offspring will be continued through Isaac. I’ll take care of Hagar and Ishmael.
NARRATOR: Early the next morning, Abraham took bread and a skin of water and gave them to Hagar. She wandered in the wilderness. When the water was gone, she left her child in the bushes, for she did not wish to see her child die. She moved off and burst into tears.
ANGEL 3: Hi. How are you? Sorry, that’s a dumb question. Listen, we’re really sorry about this foul-up. So look what presents we have for you. Come here, Ishmael. He’s a nice looking kid. Tell you what: We’ll make him a great nation. I bet you’ll like that. And watch this — it’s my favorite miracle. Look, a well of water! Now go, Hagar. Dry those eyes. God is with you.
* * *
NARRATOR: [booming voice again] MORE TIME PASSES
GOD: Abraham, I have a test for you.
ABRAHAM: Let me get a pencil.
GOD: Not exactly what I had in mind. Take your son, your favorite son, the one you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah and offer him there as a sacrifice on one of the mountains which I will show you.
NARRATOR: So early the next morning, Abraham saddled his donkey and took with him Isaac and two servants. They traveled for three days.
ABRAHAM: Stay here with the donkeys. Isaac and I will go the rest of the way ourselves.
ISAAC: Father, you said we’re going to sacrifice something, right?
ABRAHAM: That’s right.
ISAAC: Well, silly us. We forgot an animal. All we have is the knife and wood.
ABRAHAM: Son, this is hard to say. You are the sacrifice.
ISAAC: Me? You’re kidding. Look how skinny I am! I’d be terrible as a sacrifice, Dad. I don’t mind going back down the mountain for a sheep, really.
ABRAHAM: This is what God commanded.
ISAAC: Maybe you misunderstood. It’s a possibility. You are shaking your head no. You’re picking me up. You’re putting me on the altar. You’re lifting the knife. You’re really not kidding! Ohhh . . .
ANGEL 3: Abraham! Abraham! Boy, I got here just in time. You passed the test, for I know that you fear God since you have not withheld your favorite son from Me. There’s a ram caught in the bushes. Sacrifice it instead.
ISAAC: Am I glad to see you!
ANGEL 3: God will bless you and make you as numerous as the stars, and the sands on the seashores. For you obeyed My command.

NARRATOR: The End!


Booklet Section: Prayers of Remembrance