‘Any conceivable sort of boundary is a mere abstraction from the seamless coat of the universe, and hence all boundaries are pure illusions in the sense that they create separation (and ultimately conflict) where there is none. The boundaries between opposites, as well as the boundaries between things and events, remain at last deception in depth.’

Ken Wilber, No Boundary

In my Gospel of John and the Book of Genesis blog, a central point of contention is reviewed that exists between Jews, Muslims and Christians in the sacrifice of Abraham’s ‘son, only son’. In the Jewish and Christian tradition, it is Isaac that is sacrificed by Abraham. In the Muslim tradition, the son sacrificed is Ishmael. (The Muslim story also includes Abraham and Ishmael building the Kaba, or holy center)

Is it possible to read into the story that the son sacrificed was Isaac AND Ishmael? In a creative reading, this could be possible.

Linear thread of Abraham-Isaac as understood by Jews and Christians:
‘On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place afar off. Then Abraham said to his young men, ‘Stay here with the ass; I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.’ (Consider break: 'lad' as Ishmael (RSV), to build Kaba and then return)
And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it on Isaac his son; and he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they (Ishmael and Isaac) went both of them together. And Isaac said to his father Abraham, ‘My father!’ And he said, ‘Here am I, my son.’ He said, ‘Behold, the fire and the wood; but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?’ Abraham said, ‘God will provide himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.’
So they went both of them together. (Isaac and Ishmael)
When they came to the place of which God had told them, Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound up Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar, upon the wood. (Shift) Then Abraham put forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son (also Ishmael as 'son', see 'Abraham and Ishmael his son were circumcised on that very same day' in Genesis previous).
But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven, and said, ‘Abraham!, Abraham!’ (2) And he said, ‘Here am I.’ He said, ‘Do not lay your hand upon the 'lad' or do anything to him (Ishmael); for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son from me (2: the argument that 'son' is Ishmael, 'only son' Isaac). And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns; and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son.’ (22.4-13)

Interesting in Genesis: 'The matter was very distressing to Abraham because of his son' in earlier Genesis. (Isaac or Ishmael?)

Muslim tradition speaks of Ishmael as sacrifice but read in an interesting way. More complementary:
surah 37:
99. He said: "I will go to my Lord! He will surely guide me!
100. "O my Lord! Grant me a righteous (son)!"
101. So We gave him the good news of a forbearing son.
102. Then, when (the son) reached (the age of) (serious) work with him, he said: "O my son! I have seen in a vision that I offer thee in sacrifice: now see what is thy view!" (The son) said: "O my father! Do as thou art commanded: thou will find me, if Allah so wills, one of the steadfast!"
103. So when they had both submitted (to Allah), and he had laid him prostrate on his forehead (for sacrifice),
104. We called out to him "O Abraham! ...
105. "Thou hast already fulfilled the vision!" - thus indeed do We reward those who do right.
106. For this was a clear trial-
107. And We ransomed him with a momentous sacrifice:
108. And We left for him among generations (to come) in later times:
109. "Peace and salutation to Abraham!"
110. Thus indeed do We reward those who do right.
111. For he was one of Our believing Servants.
112. And We gave him the good news of Isaac - a prophet- one of the Righteous.
113. We blessed him and Isaac: but of their progeny are (some) that do right, and (some) that obviously do wrong, to themselves.

‘It is an undeniable fact that Ishmael was the first son of Abraham (peace be on them). He was the one who was put to the test of sacrifice. The event is celebrated yearly by Muslims all over the world and serves as the biggest holiday of the year. The festive event is called Eidul-Adha. Millions of Muslims go for Hajj (pilgrimage) to Makkah.’ Several hundred thousand goats, lambs and cows are sacrificed to commemorate the trial of Abraham and Ishmael. Part of the meat is shared with relatives, friends and the poor.’ http://www.islam101.com/.

Abraham and Ishmael re-building the Ka’aba:
[Quran; 2:125] We have rendered the shrine (the Ka`aba) a focal point for the people, and a safe sanctuary. You may use Abraham's shrine as a prayer house. We commissioned Abraham and Ismail: "You shall purify My house for those who visit, those who live there, and those who bow and prostrate."
[Quran; 2:127] As Abraham raised the foundations of the shrine, together with Ismail (they prayed): "Our Lord, accept this from us. You are the Hearer, the Omniscient.’

‘Kaaba, also known as, Ka'bah, Kabah and Caaba is the center of the holiest place of worship in Islam (Submission in English), i.e. the Sacred Mosque of Mecca, Al Masjid Al-Haram. Its name is an Arabic word that means a home or a room that looks like a cube.. It is a cube shaped stone structure built in the middle of the Sacred Mosque. The Kaaba was built by prophet Abraham as a landmark for the House of God, for the sole purpose of worshipping of God alone.’ http://www.submission.org/hajj/kaaba.html

From Revised Standard Version in Genesis:
Isaac: 'son', 'only son'
Ishmael: 'son', 'lad'
Two could be part of 'young men'

From Liberia blog:

I only can imagine eternal life and Christ presiding over all : if time goes back the light in the space, like spinning and building new configurations. The black of strokes and type that separate I, me and you and built networks of 'we' favored or not : identification.

the strokes take on adjusted configuration, the springs of water gush in word in new connections. Some words drop like rotten fruit from a tree while others rise, hills made low and the one 'dead' word rises: a celebratory 'Yes': Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Noah and those he left, Hagar and Sarah, Isaac and Ishmael, Esau and Jacob, (like Joseph and his brothers): Pharaoh and the Jews and soldiers in golden chariots, Jesus and the Pharisees, the prodigal and elder son (you can think of others)

Eternal justice is not just our sin and forgiveness in Christ or that we are united with Uncle Jack or Elisabeth?....