1. Now Abraham greatly loved Isaac, as being his only begotten 27 and
given to him at the borders of old age, by the favor of God. The child
also endeared himself to his parents still more, by the exercise of
every virtue, and adhering to his duty to his parents, and being zealous
in the worship of God. Abraham also placed his own happiness in this
prospect, that, when he should die, he should leave this his son in a
safe and secure condition; which accordingly he obtained by the will of
God: who being desirous to make an experiment of Abraham's religious
disposition towards himself, appeared to him, and enumerated all the
blessings he had bestowed on him; how he had made him superior to his
enemies; and that his son Isaac, who was the principal part of his
present happiness, was derived from him; and he said that he required
this son of his as a sacrifice and holy oblation. Accordingly he
commanded him to carry him to the mountain Moriah, and to build an
altar, and offer him for a burnt-offering upon it for that this would
best manifest his religious disposition towards him, if he preferred
what was pleasing to God, before the preservation of his own son.
2. Now Abraham thought that it was not right to disobey God in any
thing, but that he was obliged to serve him in every circumstance of
life, since all creatures that live enjoy their life by his providence,
and the kindness he bestows on them. Accordingly he concealed this
command of God, and his own intentions about the slaughter of his son,
from his wife, as also from every one of his servants, otherwise he
should have been hindered from his obedience to God; and he took Isaac,
together with two of his servants, and laying what things were necessary
for a sacrifice upon an ass, he went away to the mountain. Now the two
servants went along with him two days; but on the third day, as soon as
he saw the mountain, he left those servants that were with him till then
in the plain, and, having his son alone with him, he came to the
mountain. It was that mountain upon which king David afterwards built
the temple. 28 Now they had brought with them every thing necessary for
a sacrifice, excepting the animal that was to be offered only. Now Isaac
was twenty-five years old. And as he was building the altar, he asked
his father what he was about to offer, since there was no animal there
for an oblation:—to which it was answered, "That God would provide
himself an oblation, he being able to make a plentiful provision for men
out of what they have not, and to deprive others of what they already
have, when they put too much trust therein; that therefore, if God
pleased to be present and propitious at this sacrifice, he would provide
himself an oblation."
3. As soon as the altar was prepared, and Abraham had laid on the wood,
and all things were entirely ready, he said to his son, "O son, I poured
out a vast number of prayers that I might have thee for my son; when
thou wast come into the world, there was nothing that could contribute
to thy support for which I was not greatly solicitous, nor any thing
wherein I thought myself happier than to see thee grown up to man's
estate, and that I might leave thee at my death the successor to my
dominion; but since it was by God's will that I became thy father, and
it is now his will that I relinquish thee, bear this consecration to God
with a generous mind; for I resign thee up to God who has thought fit
now to require this testimony of honor to himself, on account of the
favors he hath conferred on me, in being to me a supporter and defender.
Accordingly thou, my son, wilt now die, not in any common way of going
out of the world, but sent to God, the Father of all men, beforehand, by
thy own father, in the nature of a sacrifice. I suppose he thinks thee
worthy to get clear of this world neither by disease, neither by war,
nor by any other severe way, by which death usually comes upon men, but
so that he will receive thy soul with prayers and holy offices of
religion, and will place thee near to himself, and thou wilt there be to
me a succorer and supporter in my old age; on which account I
principally brought thee up, and thou wilt thereby procure me God for my
Comforter instead of thyself."
4. Now Isaac was of such a generous disposition as became the son of
such a father, and was pleased with this discourse; and said, "That he
was not worthy to be born at first, if he should reject the
determination of God and of his father, and should not resign himself up
readily to both their pleasures; since it would have been unjust if he
had not obeyed, even if his father alone had so resolved." So he went
immediately to the altar to be sacrificed. And the deed had been done if
God had not opposed it; for he called loudly to Abraham by his name, and
forbade him to slay his son; and said, "It was not out of a desire of
human blood that he was commanded to slay his son, nor was he willing
that he should be taken away from him whom he had made his father, but
to try the temper of his mind, whether he would be obedient to such a
command. Since therefore he now was satisfied as to that his alacrity,
and the surprising readiness he showed in this his piety, he was
delighted in having bestowed such blessings upon him; and that he would
not be wanting in all sort of concern about him, and in bestowing other
children upon him; and that his son should live to a very great age;
that he should live a happy life, and bequeath a large principality to
his children, who should be good and legitimate." He foretold also, that
his family should increase into many nations 29 and that those
patriarchs should leave behind them an everlasting name; that they
should obtain the possession of the land of Canaan, and be envied by all
men. When God had said this, he produced to them a ram, which did not
appear before, for the sacrifice. So Abraham and Isaac receiving each
other unexpectedly, and having obtained the promises of such great
blessings, embraced one another; and when they had sacrificed, they
returned to Sarah, and lived happily together, God affording them his
assistance in all things they desired.