Page:A Jewish Interpretation of the Book of Genesis (Morgenstern, 1919, jewishinterpreta00morg).pdf/166

 :

The Book of Genesis

148

genitor of a numerous and mighty people.

Yet despite

this

one moment that the child was on the In vain the distracted mother point of perishing of thirst. promise,

seemed

it

sought to

his

still

at

cries



It

ise.

seemed

Him

when it seemed God opened her

if

to be

God

to her as if

Small wonder

hear

vain she called upon

in

help; in vain she besought

God

for

mindful of His prom-

did not hear, or would not

she doubted or lost faith.

moment

that in another

But

just

the child must die,

and she beheld the life-giving well of God had heard her cries; He was indeed a God of mercy and faithfulness, who cares for the suffering, the outcast, and the helpless, and none of His promises remain unfulfilled. Nay more, the well had been there continually, only in her blindness she had not seen it until God opened her eyes. So it is with many people. Our eyes are closed to God's countless blessings, and we vainly call upon Him to satisfy our needs. Yet if we would but open our eyes and see all the blessings which God does shower upon us, all His bounties with which we may satisfy our needs, w^e would not doubt, nor murmur, nor cry for more, but we would bravely set to work to use what God has given us, and to strengthen ourselves thereby for the great tasks for which He has eyes,

water for which she had prayed.

created us.

The word

of

God

is

sure.

As one

of the greatest of the

prophets said.

As

the rain

And

cometh down and the snow from heaven,

returneth not thither,

Except

water the earth,

it

And maketh it And give seed So It

shall

to the

My word

Inid,

sower and bread

to the eater;

be that goeth forth out of

My

mouth

unto Me void, accomplish that which I please,

shall not return

Except

it

And make

The

bring forth and

truth

the thing whereto

of

this

we

I

sent

learned

it

in

prosper,

the

(Isaiah IV, 10-11.)

story

of

the

flood.