The Sacrifice of Isaac
This panel illustrates the well-known story of Abram (now called Abraham) being tested by God, and responding faithfully by proceeding toward the sacrifice of the treasured son of his old age, the sole means by which God's promise of progeny would be fulfilled.
This panel captures the very moment Abraham is about to bring down the knife. His face is ashen, and he has clearly aged immensely since the previous episode. His one hand rises to obey the command of God, while the other lies lovingly in the form of a blessing on the head of his beloved son. Isaac lies bound upon the alter, his limp form and open hand signifying acceptance of his fate. Neither is able to look into the eyes of the other.
The artist has not left us without a positive ending. The cloud descends so swiftly it almost disengages from the main formation in order to grasp the hand of Abraham, preventing it from descending from its poised position. We see the ram caught in the background, but the cloud surrounding it proves well founded Abraham's claim that "God himself will provide the lamb for a burnt offering". Abraham's faith in God is well-placed.
The interpretation of this story has been a conundrum for theologians for centuries. Some scholars believe the story was originally told a very long time ago to justify the substitution of animal sacrifice in place of human sacrifice. In the apex of the window the Christian interpretation of the binding of Isaac is offered.