Family bonds

Certainly one of the most disturbing stories in Genesis is the Binding of Isaac. Like a lot of these ancient narratives, it leaves us with many more questions than answers, which makes it one of the more tantalizing of the tales. What did the original readers think of this? Did they get the idea that their God was telling them that through this example, God would provide and they were not required to burn their children like some of their Idol worshiping neighbor's did? Isaac was no child in this story. Some say he could have been in his late 30's. Was the plot about Abraham neglecting his patriarchal duty of finding his son a wife? (In those days, those not married and perpetuating the family line might as well have been dead!) I personally wonder where Sarah stood in this situation. She is not mentioned in the story, but we do know that Abraham never went back to her encampment after this, but to Beersheba where he later married Keturah. Who would want to face the strong willed Sarah after the attempted sacrifice of her beloved Child of Laughter? What does this story mean to you? (Image from Binding of Isaac PowerPoint presentation. -We know the text really says Abraham just heard the voice of the Angel of the Lord, but we were tired of drawing close-ups of Abraham with his hand cupped behind his ear.)