Was the promise made to Abraham alone?
—Seeing thou "hast not withheld thy son—
In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth
Be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice."
Did Abraham resist God's first demand
To sacrifice his son on Mount Moriah?
Did his feet stumble on the upward journey,
Did his hand falter at the altar's fire,
Would his voice fail at the familiar—Isaac?
Could the knife cut the life from his despair?
What Mind could father such obedience?
Was it the mind of Abraham alone?
Did the command, "Lay not thine hand upon the lad,"
Release in him a spurious contentment?
Did his call—Isaac—ring with repossession?
No. He had left that love upon the altar,
And risen to a higher parenthood.
Isaac must be readied to rule a kingdom,
And he a promised multiplicity.
Tomorrow had need of his sons and his seed.
From sacrifice to sacrament this journey
For Abraham, for Isaac—
for all men.
