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The Antiquities of the Jews - Table of Contents
The Antiquities of the Jews
Written by Flavius Josephus
Translated by William Whiston
Book One
Chapter 13
Concerning Isaac The Legitimate Son Of
Abraham.
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.
Continue on to
Book One,
Chapter 14, The Antiquities of the Jews by
Flavius Josephus
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The Antiquities of the Jews - Table of Contents
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