Page:A Jewish Interpretation of the Book of Genesis (Morgenstern, 1919, jewishinterpreta00morg).pdf/176

158 the end of all their hopes and happiness; it meant that their old age must be dark and cheerless, and that, when at last their end would come, there would be no loved one to follow them sorrowfully to their last resting-place. Surely they could hope for no more children. Small wonder had they hesitated, and even refused to make the sacrifice. But Abraham did not falter nor question God's will. His faith in God was stronger even than his love for his son. Slowly and sorrowfully he obeyed the divine command, and never once did he doubt or seek to turn back on his sad and hopeless journey.

It might be asked, "Why should God try Abraham again, and so cruelly? Was not the first hard test of his faith, which he had stood so well, sufficient?" It is a difficult question to answer. We can not understand, nor judge, nor even question God's motives and God's ways. This story brings home the full truth of the prophet's words,

We can not understand God's ways, nor dare we even question them. We can only trust with absolute faith that He knows best, and that His purpose is good and wise, even though we may not understand, and even though it may seem hard and harsh. This is what Abraham did, and he has deservedly become Israel's and the world's inspiring model of true faith in God.

Yet the rabbis did ask themselves, "Why did God try Abraham again and again?" And they gave a very wise "When the potter bakes his vessels in the kiln, which does he test to see if they are well made, the best or the worst? Surely the best, from which he expects the most. So, too, God tried Abraham severely, just because He ex-