Page:A Jewish Interpretation of the Book of Genesis (Morgenstern, 1919, jewishinterpreta00morg).pdf/125

Rh his brother, Haran, also be cast into the furnace with him. For Haran had been half persuaded of the truth of Abraham's words, and this was known to the king. Yet Haran did not yet trust in God completely. When Nimrod had commanded that Abraham be cast into the furnace, Haran had said to himself, "I will wait and see how this turns out. If Abraham's God saves him, then I will believe in Him and worship Him. But if not, then I will continue to worship the gods of my father".

So both were cast into the terrible furnace. But the fire could not harm Abraham. The ropes which bound him were burned away, but his flesh was not even scorched, and he walked about safe and unharmed in the midst of the fire. After three days the furnace was opened. To the surprise of all, Abraham came forth uninjured. He had been saved by God, because he trusted in Him. But Haran, who had not trusted, and was not ready to do God's will at all costs, him the fire had consumed completely. But even this did not open the eyes of the wicked king. He still sought Abraham's life, and the people, in terror of the king, dared not harken to Abraham's words. At last God commanded Abraham to journey forth unto the place which He would show him, and there begin anew his task of being a blessing to all the families of the earth.

These stories of the rabbis may all be told to the children with profit. The Biblical story of the call of Abraham, and particularly the incident of Abraham journeying on, not knowing whither he was going, yet trusting implicitly in God, lends itself admirably to the development of the lesson of faith in God. Something of this thought should be presented here, and the children should be made to understand that this is the real basis of the test of Abraham's fitness for his mission. But this is not yet the place to present this thought in its full significance. That will come later in the discussion of the story of the sacrifice of Isaac, the climax of the Abraham cycle of stories. Meanwhile the teacher should begin to carefully lead up to that wonderful story by pointing out in the presentation