Idul Adha

Yesterday was a holiday here for the local people to celebrate Idul Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice. We do not take this kids out of the house on this day. However, Dave did notice all of the animals on the street on Thursday and this gave me a wonderful opportunity to share with him about how God was our sacrifice once and for all, and I did tell him that the animals were going to be killed at the mosq*e. Last year, we did not even tell the boys about what was going on, but I really felt prompted to talk with Dave when he asked specifically about the animals this time. The Lords leading! So, while I dont think they fully comprehend what Idul Adha is all about...we did talk a bit about it this year.

Here is some information for you from a friend of ours!

This holiday falls at the end of Hajj, the holy Pilgrimage to Mecca. This festival commemorates Abraham's near-sacrifice of his son Ishmael, as recorded in the Qur'an. Millions of Bees will be celebrating as well. While most Bees never make it to Hajj, they still celebrate in their hometowns and neighborhoods.

The morning of the festival, neighbors gather at their local mosque and slaughter goats, cows, sheep, and other animals as a means of remembering that All ah rescued Ish mael by providing Abraham a substitute sacrifice.  Some meat is given to the poor. Families then take the rest of the meat home and prepare delicious meals, often inviting relatives and friends to join the celebration.

Would you join in prayer during this holy time that Bees would recognize the parallel of God’s TRUE sacrifice of his son? Would you pray for Bees to realize the impact of God’s larger plan that someone has to die to pay for the sin of man? Would you thank God for making a way for the Bees to come to Him?

Several years ago I was in Bee City and observed this ceremony. It was indeed disgusting yet poignant as I saw the blood spilled out on the ground, a struggling life form become still, and once clean feet stained red. As the concrete beneath my feet changed color, I was struck by the Mercy of God to offer up His only Son to provide a way for all peoples to come back Home. Breath and Life ebbed out of the Sacrifice, and He became something we all despise – Death. Wonder how Westerners and other non-Cousin cultures would react to this kind of celebration in our hometowns. (!) The Bees have got one thing right: celebrating God’s Provision.