Page:A Jewish Interpretation of the Book of Genesis (Morgenstern, 1919, jewishinterpreta00morg).pdf/211

 The Well of

Covenant

the

193

them, probably upon the rather questionable grounds

that

But the story implies that this was no valid claim, and that Isaac had by far the better the land belonged to them.

right

to

the wells.

Abraham had Peace

is

Nevertheless he yielded his rights, as

done, in order to preserve peace.

the

greatest

shall live in perfect

blessing

of

life.

When

all

men

peace with one another, then they will

live completely in accordance with God's law. The fundamental task of the servant of the Lord is to preserve and promote peace at all costs. And whoever does this is

also

Rights are precious, and should Yet more precious at times even than the safeguarding of rights and mere, mechanical justice is peace; and men, and nations, too, must learn to make sacrifices and yield rights once and yet again for the sake of a true servant of the Lord.

be guarded most jealously.

peace.

Doubtless

it

was not easy for Isaac

to yield.

It

would

have been far more natural, and possibly more agreeable, too, to say at the very commencement of the trouble, "This well is mine, for I dug it, and I shall defend my rights at all costs". Not improbably, too, he could have defended himself successfully, had the men of Gerar attacked him, for he had many servants and followers. But he was mindful of the teaching and example of his father and of his precious

Therefore he resisted the temptation and yielded and not only once, but a second and a third time. Thus he proved himself a man of peace like his father, and worthy of his birthright. And thus he established peace and friendship with his birthright of service.

to hold the well at all costs,



As

neighbors, the people of Gerar.

Hatred stirreth up But love covereth

the Bible says,

strifes; all

transgressions.

Here, just as in the majority of cases, hatred and opposition

would have meant

strife

and bloodshed and eternal