Page:A Jewish Interpretation of the Book of Genesis (Morgenstern, 1919, jewishinterpreta00morg).pdf/175

 The

Sacrifice of Isaac

157

one hand, as has been stated in the Introduction, it was designed to combat what was in the 9th, 8th and 7th centuries B. Co an ever-growing evil, the horrible practice of child-

The Books

sacrifice.

was

tice

and written down protest

of Kings

in Israel at this time.

against

demand

does not

fitting animal,

as,

and made

Him and

C.

to

first

conceived

show

strong

a

as

that

for instance, a

to

show is

was

ram or

in time

And on

a lamb.

expanded and

that dearer to

God

God some

child-sacrifice, but, at the most, only

richest animal sacrifice faith in

prevalent this prac-

B.

awful custom, and

the other hand, the story ualized,

how

century

the 9th

in

this

tell

This story was

spirit-

than even the

the sacrifice of the heart, perfect

willingness to obey His word, readiness to

answer His call, even before its purpose be known, with the unfailing "Here am I", and to give up for Him what is best and dearest, even one's only, beloved child. As the Psalmist said,

Offer the sacrifices of righteousness,

And

How

put your trust in the Lord.

well the story succeeded in

its

(Psalm IV,

6.)

twofold purpose,

is

self-

evident.

When God

had commanded Abraham to leave forever and loved ones at home, and wander forth, he knew not whither, it had been a severe trial. It had been a more severe trial when God had bidden him hearken to Sarah's word, and send Hagar and Ishmael forth into the barren wilderness, to what fate he knew not. But this trial was harder far, for now God demanded his and Sarah's only son, for whom they had hoped and prayed for so many years, and who had been granted to them only in old age, after they had long given up all hope. Now, after but a few years of happiness, in which they had learned to idolize the boy, and had conceived the fondest hopes for birthplace

his

future,

and

father's house

came

the

command

to

sacrifice

him.

It

meant