Page:A Jewish Interpretation of the Book of Genesis (Morgenstern, 1919, jewishinterpreta00morg).pdf/210

 The Book of Genesis

192

had descended to Isaac as a precious birthright. The same and obHgations which had rested upon Abraham, now He must possess the same qualities devolved upon Isaac. and virtues as Abraham, if he, too, was to be fit for God's duties

service. And so the Bible tells that some of the same trials which Abraham had endured, also befell Isaac, and that he, too, withstood them as his father had done. But even more this, the Bible implies that just because he was Abraham's son, and had been brought up by his father, and had

than

lived

intimate

in

Abraham's

with him, he had inherited have already learned that the rabbis

association

virtues.

We

Lot greeted the angels and the same words with which Abraham had greeted them earlier in the day. They explained this remarkable coincidence by saying that Lot had learned the lesson of hospitality from Abraham. Similarly Isaac must have acquired his virtues, which made him called attention to the fact that

proffered

his

so like his

hospitality

father,

the

as

in

almost

result

compelling example and influence.

of

the

The

latter's

gentle

but

rabbis used to liken

good deeds and helpful influence to a lamp whose flame can kindle one thousand other lamps yet grow not one whit smaller or weaker thereby. Or as our own poet, Lowell, has put

it,

As one lamp lip:hts another, nor grows So nobleness enkindleth nol)leness. This story shows father's

peace-loving

how

Lot, and had allowed

Here,

too,

the

completely Isaac had inherited his

disposition.

Abraham and Lot had

quarreled,

him

shepherds

less.

When

to choose the

of

the

shepherds

Abraham had

Isaac

more

quarrel

of

yielded to

desirable land.

with

those

of

But this case was more servants had discovered and dug

Abimelech for the wells of water. aggravated. the

wells,

longed to

For Isaac's and according to desert practice the wells bethem. But the servants of Abimelech claimed