Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1905-07-21

continued. ne
lCGN Lord Will make
provision for the
Offering against the time we reach the
appointed place"
Isaac did not note the half sob with
which his f"ther finished, nor did he
observe in the dim light Of the early
morning the drawn features and the
intense yearning that shone in his
eyes. Early as Abraham was astir,
after the long vigil of the night alone
with the agony of his own heart, he
had found that his son had anticipated
the needs for the Journey and was
busy putting the final touches TO the
preparations when he went 10 arouse
him. The two young men, Jerah and
Aram. enthusiastic over the prospect
OF the trip, were on hand and waiting
at the door of the tent Of their young
master when he came forth.
See. here is the lamb for our offer
ing" exclaimed Isaac, going to the
rear OF his tent and untethering the
lamb which he had selected the night
before with the help of ElieZer. us
he not a fine one?" patting the gentle
creatures head and turning for APP
proval to the other two.
The finest of the flock If | who
have tended sheep all my life am able
10 judge" enthusiastically spoke up
Jerah, and Aram nodded assent.
Let me bear the lamb on my shout
ders?" requested Aram, appealingly,
and he stopped and was busily tying
the creature when Abraham appeared
and said. I'VE will not take the
lamb"
Isaac made no response TO his IA
theirs strange words. and in discon-
certed manner Aram released the lamb
and il went bleating back TO the fold.
as though rejoicing at its unexpected
liberty. AS it bounded away Isaac re-
called the scene of the evening before.
Marking the strange coincidence, he
pondered deeply over the matter as they
journeyed along in spfnce. But he
dared not venture TO ask his father fur
Their in regard TO the matter, and as the
days Of the journey. slipped by the
young men talked together about other
things. but the aged father was strange
ly preoccupied On the third day as
Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw
the mountain OF which God had spoken.
he seemed singularly agitated, and ex
claimed
Now will the Lord reveal Himself
more perfectly"
Then turning TO Jerah and Aram, he
continued
Abide we here with the ass; and
and the lad will go yonder and worship.
and come again TO you.
The way led up the rugged side of
the hill through the luXuriant growth
OF shrubbery and the tangled masses
of fresh grasses and fragrant, many
hued flowers. but father and son were
too absorbed Will the thoughts which
of nature and TO catch her nodding
smile as they passed They did not
hear the CHEEKY challenge OF the birds
as they few Up Oh either side. startled
by their coming. But silently with
eyes bent on the pathway just before
them. they trudged steadily on. The
heart of the aged father was well-nigh
bursting with its pent-up grief. but
faith wavered not. and steadfastly he
kept or his way. intent on reaching the
place of which God had spoken. He
could not understand the mystery. but
he knew that God knew. and that was
enough. He would take one step at a
time and leave the rest with God This
is always the way of true faith and ODE
dience.
And for Isaac what discipline that
trip was How deeply God was probing
into his heart as the days went by and he
sought answer to the questions which
kept rising within him He was sen
sitive to the influence of his fathers
mood and spirit. and instinctively
felt that he was vitality concerned IN
the matter at issue. whatever IL might
be. The lamb his father had selected
and placed on the altar had remained
unoffered. and then had been let 20 and
then the lamb he had chosen was like
wise rejected, and now without an Of
fering Of any kind they were ascend
ing the mountain to make sacrifice unto
the Lord. What could IL mean? How
he struggled to find answer TO mis-
doubts and forebodings! How he longed
TO share with his father the burdens he
knew were pressing upon his heart.
At last. unable to restrain himself long
er. he pressed to his fathers side. and.
looking up appealingly into his face. he