第10章 亚伯拉罕和所应许的后裔
§1
第10章 亚伯拉罕和所应许的后裔
§2
Chap. 10 - Abraham and the Promised Seed
§3
（本章根据创12:1-5;13;15;16;17;21;22:1-19）
§4
主拣选了亚伯拉罕来实现祂的旨意。他蒙指示要离开自己那拜偶像的国家并与亲属分离。主已经在亚伯拉罕年轻的时候亲自向他显现，赐给他聪明智慧，并保守他脱离拜偶像的习俗。主定意使他为将来生存在地上祂的子民作信心和真实爱主的榜样。他的品格以正直、宽大、和好客为特征。他博得众人的尊重象大君王一般。他对上帝的敬爱，以及他在遵行上帝旨意方面的严格顺从，博得了他仆人和邻居的尊重。他的敬虔榜样和公义行为，加上他给众仆人和全家人的忠心训诲，导使他们都敬畏、爱戴、并尊崇亚伯拉罕的上帝。{SR 75.1}[1]
§5
The Lord selected Abraham to carry out His will. He was directed to leave his idolatrous nation and separate from his kindred. The Lord had revealed Himself to Abraham in his youth and given him understanding and preserved him from idolatry. He designed to make him an example of faith and true devotion for His people who should afterward live upon the earth. His character was marked for integrity, generosity, and hospitality. He commanded respect as a mighty prince among the people. His reverence and love for God, and his strict obedience in performing His will, gained for him the respect of his servants and neighbors. His godly example and righteous course, united with his faithful instructions to his servants and all his household, led them to fear, love, and reverence the God of Abraham. {SR 75.1}[1]
§6
主向亚伯拉罕显现，并应许他将来他的后裔要象天上的星那样多。他也借着那落到他身上惊人的大黑暗，使他知道，他的后裔要在埃及国遭受长期的奴役。{SR 75.2}[2]
§7
The Lord appeared to Abraham and promised him that his seed should be like the stars of heaven for number. He also made known to him, through the figure of the horror of great darkness which came upon him, the long, servile bondage of his descendants in Egypt. {SR 75.2}[2]
§8
起初上帝只赐给亚当一个妻子，如此说明祂所定的制度。祂绝没有意思让人有多位的妻室。拉麦乃是在这一方面首先偏离上帝明智安排的人，他有两个妻子，结果在他家中造成不和。双方的嫉妒和猜疑使拉麦忧愁不乐。及至地上人口增多，人们生了许多女儿之后，他们便随意娶来为妻。这是上古世界招致上帝忿怒的大罪之一。洪水以后，这种习俗依然盛行，结果竟成了极其普通的事，甚至连义人也随俗浮沉而娶了不止一个妻子，他们既已腐化并在这事上偏离了上帝的制度，这就不能因他们是义人而不算为罪了。{SR 75.3}[3]
§9
In the beginning God gave to Adam one wife, thus showing his order. He never designed that man should have a plurality of wives. Lamech was the first who departed in this respect from Gods wise arrangement. He had two wives, which created discord in his family. The envy and jealousy of both made Lamech unhappy. When men began to multiply upon the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, they took them wives of all which they chose. This was one of the great sins of the inhabitants of the old world, which brought the wrath of God upon them. This custom was practiced after the Flood, and became so common that even righteous men fell into the practice and had a plurality of wives. Yet it was no less sin because they became corrupted and departed in this thing from Gods order. {SR 75.3}[3]
§10
主对那进入方舟得救的挪亚和他全家说：“因为在这世代中，我见你在我面前是义人”（创7:1）。挪亚只有一个妻子，因此那团结他们家庭的纪律得蒙上帝的赐福，又因挪亚的儿子们也是义人，他们便得以和他们身为义人的父亲一同在方舟里得蒙保存。上帝从来没有一次认可过多妻制。这制度是违反祂旨意的。祂深知人类的幸福必遭受它的破坏。亚伯拉罕曾因他与夏甲的不幸婚姻而失去极大的平安。{SR 76.1}[4]
§11
The Lord said of Noah and his family, who were saved in the ark, For thee have I seen righteous before Me in this generation. Genesis 7:1. Noah had but one wife, and their united family discipline was blessed of God. Because Noahs sons were righteous they were preserved in the ark with their righteous father. God has not sanctioned polygamy in a single instance. It is contrary to His will. He knew that the happiness of man would be destroyed by it. Abrahams peace was greatly marred by his unhappy marriage with Hagar. {SR 76.1}[4]
§12
【怀疑上帝的应许】
§13
亚伯拉罕与罗得分开之后，主对他说：“从你所在的地方，你举目向东西南北观看：凡你所看见的一切地，我都要赐给你和你的后裔，直到永远。我也要使你的后裔如同地上的尘沙那样多，人若能数算地上的尘沙，才能数算你的后裔。”“耶和华在异象中有话对亚伯兰说：亚伯兰，你不要惧怕，我是你的盾牌，必大大的赏赐你。……亚伯兰又说：祢没有给我儿子，那在我家中的人，就是我的后嗣”（创13:14-16；15:1,3）。{SR 76.2}[5]
§14
【Wavering at Gods Promises】
§15
After Abrahams separation from Lot the Lord said to him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered. The word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. . . . And Abram said, Behold, to me Thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir. {SR 76.2}[5]
§16
亚伯拉罕既没有儿子，起先便以为他那可靠的仆人以利以谢，将要成为他的养子和后嗣。但上帝告诉亚伯拉罕，他的仆人必不成为他的儿子与后嗣，他必要真正生一个儿子。“于是领他走到外边，说：你向天观看，数算众星，能数得过来么？又对他说：你的后裔将要如此”（创15:5）。{SR 77.1}[6]
§17
As Abraham had no son, he at first thought that his trusty servant, Eliezer, should become his son by adoption, and his heir. But God informed Abraham that his servant should not be his son and heir, but that he should really have a son. And He brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and He said unto him, So shall thy seed be. {SR 77.1}[6]
§18
如果亚伯拉罕和撒拉能笃信上帝，等候必得到儿子的应许实现，他们就可免去许多的不幸了。他们虽然相信上帝的应许必要实现，但总不相信撒拉既已年老还能生一个儿子。撒拉提出一个计划，是她以为可以实现上帝应许的。她劝亚伯拉罕娶夏甲为妻。他们二人在这件事上对上帝的大能，都缺少信心和完全的依赖。亚伯拉罕既听撒拉的话，娶了夏甲为妻，他就在经受信靠上帝无限能力的试验上失败了，而且为自己和撒拉招致了许多不幸。主的意思原是要考验亚伯拉罕对于祂向他所发应许的坚定信心和依靠。{SR 77.2}[7]
§19
If Abraham and Sarah had waited in confiding faith for the fulfillment of the promise that they should have a son, much unhappiness would have been avoided. They believed that it would be just as God had promised, but could not believe that Sarah in her old age would have a son. Sarah suggested a plan whereby she thought the promise of God could be fulfilled. She entreated Abraham to take Hagar as his wife. In this they both lacked faith and a perfect trust in the power of God. By hearkening to the voice of Sarah and taking Hagar as his wife Abraham failed to endure the test of his faith in Gods unlimited power, and brought upon himself and upon Sarah much unhappiness. The Lord intended to prove the firm faith and reliance of Abraham upon the promises He had made him. {SR 77.2}[7]
§20
【夏甲的傲慢】
§21
夏甲骄傲自负，在撒拉面前表现傲慢的态度。她自鸣得意，认为她将要成为上帝所应许使亚伯拉罕变成之大国的母亲。因此亚伯拉罕就不得不听受撒拉对于夏甲的作风所有的埋怨，责怪亚伯拉罕在这件事上犯了错误。亚伯拉罕颇为愁苦，便告诉撒拉说，夏甲乃是她的使女，她可以随意管她，但却不肯将她遣走，因为她将要成为他孩子的母亲，这孩子就是他所认为借以实现应许的。他告诉撒拉，若不是出于她先前特别的要求，他是不会娶夏甲为妻的。{SR 77.3}[8]
§22
【Hagars Haughtiness】
§23
Hagar was proud and boastful, and carried herself haughtily before Sarah. She flattered herself that she was to be the mother of a great nation God had promised to make of Abraham. And Abraham was compelled to listen to complaints from Sarah in regard to the conduct of Hagar, charging Abraham with wrong in the matter. Abraham is grieved and tells Sarah that Hagar is her servant, and that she can have the control of her, but refuses to send her away, for she is to be the mother of his child, through whom he thinks the promise is to be fulfilled. He informs Sarah that he should not have taken Hagar for his wife if it had not been her special request. {SR 77.3}[8]
§24
亚伯拉罕也不得不听受夏甲对撒拉苦待她所作的埋怨。亚伯拉罕左右为难了。如果他设法补救夏甲的冤屈，就势必加增他所非常亲爱的正妻撒拉的嫉妒和苦恼。夏甲终于从撒拉面前逃走了。上帝的天使遇见她。并且安慰她，同时也责备她那傲慢的作风，吩咐她回到她主母那里，服在她手下。{SR 78.1}[9]
§25
Abraham was also compelled to listen to Hagars complaints of abuse from Sarah. Abraham is in perplexity. If he seeks to redress the wrongs of Hagar he increases the jealousy and unhappiness of Sarah, his first and much-loved wife. Hagar flees from the face of Sarah. An angel of God meets her and comforts her and also reproves her for her haughty conduct, in bidding her return to her mistress and submit herself under her hands. {SR 78.1}[9]
§26
主在以实玛利出生以后，又向亚伯拉罕显现，对他说：“我要与你并你世世代代的后裔坚立我的约，作永远的约”（创17:7）。主又藉祂的使者重新应许赐给撒拉一个儿子，并应许使她成为多国之母。这时亚伯拉罕还不明白上帝的应许。他的思想立即转到以实玛利身上，似乎所应许的多国将要从他而出，于是他因疼爱儿子而感叹道：“但愿以实玛利活在祢面前”（创17:18）! {SR 78.2}[10]
§27
After the birth of Ishmael the Lord manifested Himself again to Abraham and said unto him, I will establish My covenant between Me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant. Again the Lord repeated by His angel His promise to give Sarah a son, and that she should be a mother of many nations. Abraham did not yet understand the promise of God. His mind immediately rested upon Ishmael, as though through him would come the many nations promised, and he exclaimed, in his affection for his son, O that Ishmael might live before Thee! {SR 78.2}[10]
§28
于是这应许又更加明确地向亚伯拉罕重申说：“你妻子撒拉要给你生一个儿子，你要给他起名叫以撒，我要与他坚定所立的约，作他后裔永远的约”（创17:19）。天使在前往毁灭所多玛时，又再次奉命到亚伯拉罕那里去，向他更清楚地重申撒拉要生儿子的应许。{SR 78.3}[11]
§29
Again the promise is more definitely repeated to Abraham: Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him. Angels are sent the second time to Abraham on their way to destroy Sodom, and they repeat the promise more distinctly that Sarah shall have a son. {SR 78.3}[11]
§30
【所应许的儿子】
§31
亚伯拉罕和撒拉在以撒出世之后所表现的大喜乐，致使夏甲满怀嫉妒。以实玛利曾听他母亲说过，他将蒙受上帝特别的赐福，既是亚伯拉罕的儿子，又要作他所发应许的继承人。以实玛利也具有他母亲的情绪，并因对以撒诞生所表现的喜乐而感到愤怒。他蔑视以撒，因为他想以撒比他更蒙宠爱。撒拉看到以实玛利对他儿子以撒所表示的态度，便大为愤激。她向亚伯拉罕述说以实玛利对她和她儿子以撒所有无礼的表现，并向他说：“你把这使女和她儿子赶出去，因为这使女的儿子不可与我的儿子以撒一同承受产业”（创21:10）。{SR 79.1}[12]
§32
【The Promised Son】
§33
After the birth of Isaac the great joy manifested by Abraham and Sarah caused Hagar to be very jealous. Ishmael had been instructed by his mother that he was to be especially blessed of God, as the son of Abraham, and to be heir to that which was promised to him. Ishmael partook of his mothers feelings and was angry because of the joy manifested at the birth of Isaac. He despised Isaac, because he thought he was preferred before him. Sarah saw the disposition manifested by Ishmael against her son Isaac, and she was greatly moved. She related to Abraham the disrespectful conduct of Ishmael to her and to her son Isaac, and said to him, Cast out this bondwoman and her son; for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac. {SR 79.1}[12]
§34
亚伯拉罕非常作难了。以实玛利也是他的儿子，是他所疼爱的。他怎能将他遣走呢？他在困惑之中祷告上帝，因为他不知道应该采取什么方针。主借着他的天使告诉亚伯拉罕，要听他妻子撒拉的话，他也不应让他对于他儿子或夏甲的感情阻止他顺从撒拉的愿望。因为这是他在家中恢复和谐与幸福唯一可循的途径。亚伯拉罕从天使得到那安慰他的应许，说以实玛利虽然离开父家，却不至于死亡或被上帝遗弃，他也要因为他是亚伯拉罕的儿子而得蒙保全。上帝也应许使以实玛利的后裔成为大国。{SR 79.2}[13]
§35
Abraham was greatly distressed. Ishmael was his son, beloved by him. How could he send him away? He prayed to God in his perplexity, for he knew not what course to take. The Lord informed Abraham, through His angels, to listen to the voice of Sarah his wife, and that he should not let his affections for his son or for Hagar prevent his compliance with her wishes. For this was the only course he could pursue to restore harmony and happiness again to his family. Abraham had the consoling promise from the angel, that Ishmael, although separated from his fathers house, should not die nor be forsaken of God, that he should be preserved because he was the son of Abraham. God also promised to make of Ishmael a great nation. {SR 79.2}[13]
§36
亚伯拉罕是性情高贵而慈善为怀的人，这在他为所多玛居民恳切代求的事上显明了。这时他坚强的心灵感到非常痛苦。当他将夏甲和她儿子以实玛利遣送出去在异地飘流时，他悲伤万分，他因父子之情不能自禁。{SR 80.1}[14]
§37
Abraham was of a noble, benevolent disposition, which was manifested in his pleading so earnestly for the people of Sodom. His strong spirit suffered much. He was bowed with grief, and his paternal feelings were deeply moved as he sent away Hagar and his son Ishmael to wander as strangers in a strange land. {SR 80.1}[14]
§38
如果上帝曾经许可多妻制，他决不会这样指示亚伯拉罕将夏甲和她的儿子送走。祂在这事上给众人一个教训，说明婚姻关系中双方的权利与幸福，必须长远受到尊重与维护。即使须作重大牺牲也当如此。撒拉乃是亚伯拉罕头一个和唯一真正的妻子。她身为妻子和母亲，有享受一定权利的资格，是家中任何其他人所没有的。她尊敬他的丈夫，称他为主，但她心怀嫉妒，惟恐夏甲分享丈夫的爱情。上帝没有因撒拉所采取的方针而责备她。亚伯拉罕不信赖上帝的大能，导致他娶夏甲为妾，并以为那应许要借她实现。因此受到天使的责备。{SR 80.2}[15]
§39
If God had sanctioned polygamy, He would not have thus directed Abraham to send away Hagar and her son. He would teach all a lesson in this, that the rights and happiness of the marriage relation are to be ever respected and guarded, even at a great sacrifice. Sarah was the first and only true wife of Abraham. She was entitled to rights, as a wife and mother, which no other could have in the family. She reverenced her husband, calling him lord, but she was jealous lest his affections should be divided with Hagar. God did not rebuke Sarah for the course she pursued. Abraham was reproved by the angels for distrusting Gods power, which had led him to take Hagar as his wife and to think that through her the promise would be fulfilled. {SR 80.2}[15]
§40
【信心最大的考验】
§41
后来主认为合适，又用一次最可怕的考验试验亚伯拉罕的信心。如果他先前经受住那头一次的试验，并曾经忍耐等候那应许在撒拉身上实现，而不娶夏甲为妻，他就不至于经受这世人所从未需要受的最严重考验了。主吩咐亚伯拉罕说：“你带着你的儿子，就是你独生的儿子，你所爱的以撒，往摩利亚地去，在我所要指示你的山上，把他献为燔祭”（创22:2）。{SR 80.3}[16]
§42
【The Supreme Test of Faith】
§43
Again the Lord saw fit to test the faith of Abraham by a most fearful trial. If he had endured the first test and had patiently waited for the promise to be fulfilled in Sarah, and had not taken Hagar as his wife, he would not have been subjected to the closest test that was ever required of man. The Lord bade Abraham, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. {SR 80.3}[16]
§44
亚伯拉罕没有怀疑上帝而有所犹豫，却在清早就带了两个仆人和他的儿子以撒，以及燔祭的柴，前往上帝所指示的地方。他没有将他出外旅行的真情告诉撒拉，因为深知她对以撒的母爱会使她怀疑上帝而不愿献上她的儿子，亚伯拉罕未曾容许作父亲的感情支配他，而致导使他抗拒上帝。上帝的命令是专为刺激他的心灵深处：“你带着你的儿子。”随后似乎要更深地探索他的心，他又说：“就是你独生的儿子，你所爱的以撒，”也就是唯一应许的儿子，“把他献为燔祭。”{SR 80.4}[17]
§45
Abraham did not disbelieve God and hesitate, but early in the morning he took two of his servants and Isaac, his son, and the wood for the burnt offering, and went unto the place of which God had told him. He did not reveal the true nature of his journey to Sarah, knowing that her affection for Isaac would lead her to distrust God and withhold her son. Abraham did not suffer paternal feelings to control him and lead him to rebel against God. The command of God was calculated to stir the depths of his soul. Take now thy son. Then, as though to probe the heart a little deeper, He added, Thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest; that is, the only son of promise, and offer him . . . for a burnt offering. {SR 80.4}[17]
§46
这个父亲带着他的儿子旅行了三天的路程，那时他若存心怀疑，就有充分时间去推测和猜疑上帝了。但他并不怀疑上帝。他这时也没有推想那应许将要借以实玛利实现，因为上帝已经明白告诉他，那应许当借以撒而实现。{SR 81.1}[18]
§47
Three days this father traveled with his son, having sufficient time to reason and doubt God if he was disposed to doubt. But he did not distrust God. He did not now reason that the promise would be fulfilled through Ishmael, for God plainly told him that through Isaac should the promise be fulfilled. {SR 81.1}[18]
§48
亚伯拉罕相信以撒乃是应许的儿子，他也相信上帝吩咐他将以撒献为燔祭，意思就是要他如此行。他并未因上帝的应许而有所犹疑踌躇，却坚信那位凭自己美意使撒拉老年生子而又吩咐他取他儿子性命的上帝，也能再赐予生命，使以撒从死里复活。{SR 81.2}[19]
§49
Abraham believed that Isaac was the son of promise. He also believed that God meant just what He said when He bade him to go offer him as a burnt offering. He staggered not at the promise of God but believed that God, who had in His providence given Sarah a son in her old age, and who had required him to take that sons life, could also give life again and bring up Isaac from the dead. {SR 81.2}[19]
§50
亚伯拉罕将仆人留在路旁，打算独自和儿子在距离他们相当一段路的地方礼拜上帝。他不让仆人陪同他们，惟恐他们因爱以撒而致阻止他执行上帝所吩咐他做的事。于是他将木柴从仆人手中取过来，放在他儿子身上。他也拿了火和刀。他准备好从事执行上帝所交给他的可怕任务。于是父子二人同行。{SR 81.3}[20]
§51
Abraham left the servants by the way and proposed to go alone with his son to worship some distance from them. He would not permit his servants to accompany them, lest their love for Isaac might lead them to prevent him from carrying out what God had commanded him to do. He took the wood from the hands of his servants and laid it upon the shoulders of his son. He also took the fire and the knife. He was prepared to execute the dreadful mission given him of God. Father and son walked on together. {SR 81.3}[20]
§52
“以撒对他父亲亚伯拉罕说；父亲哪；亚伯拉罕说：我儿，我在这里。以撒说：请看，火与柴都有了；但燔祭和羊羔在哪里呢？亚伯拉罕说：我儿，上帝必自己预备作燔祭的羊羔；于是二人同行”（创22:7,8）。那位严厉、慈爱，而痛苦的父亲，以坚稳的步伐走在他儿子身边。他们到了上帝所指示亚伯拉罕的地方，他便在那里筑了一座坛，把柴摆好，准备献祭，这时才告诉以撒关于上帝要将他献为燔祭的命令。他向以撒重述上帝所屡次向他发出的应许，说明要借以撒成为大国，而且他既遵照上帝的命令将他杀死，上帝就必实现祂的应许，因为祂能使他从死里复活。{SR 82.1}[21]
§53
And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? And Abraham said, My son, God will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. Firmly walked on that stern, loving, suffering father by the side of his son. As they came to the place which God had pointed out to Abraham, he built there an altar and laid the wood in order, ready for the sacrifice, and then informed Isaac of the command of God to offer him as a burnt offering. He repeated to him the promise that God several times had made to him, that through Isaac he should become a great nation, and that in performing the command of God in slaying him, God would fulfill His promise, for He was able to raise him from the dead. {SR 82.1}[21]
§54
【天使的信息】
§55
以撒坚信上帝。他曾受教要绝对顺服父亲，同时他也敬爱并尊崇他父亲的上帝。如果他愿意的话，他很可以反抗他的父亲。但他在亲切地和父亲拥抱了之后，就让父亲将他捆绑，放在柴上。当父亲举起手来要杀他儿子的时候，在到摩利亚地来一路上记录亚伯拉罕忠心表现的天使，从天上呼唤他，说：“亚伯拉罕，亚伯拉罕；他说：我在这里。天使说：你不可在这童子身上下手，一点不可害他；现在我知道你是敬畏上帝的了，因为你没有将你的儿子，就是你独生的儿子，留下不给我。{SR 82.2}[22]
§56
【The Angels Message】
§57
Isaac believed in God. He had been taught implicit obedience to his father, and he loved and reverenced the God of his father. He could have resisted his father if he had chosen to do so. But after affectionately embracing his father, he submitted to be bound and laid upon the wood. And as his fathers hand was raised to slay his son, an angel of God, who had marked all the faithfulness of Abraham on the way to Moriah, called to him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou anything unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from Me. {SR 82.2}[22]
§58
“亚伯拉罕举目观看，不料，有一只公羊，两角扣在稠密的小树中；亚伯拉罕就取了那只公羊来，献为燔祭，代替他的儿子”（创22:11-13）。{SR 83.1}[23]
§59
And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. {SR 83.1}[23]
§60
亚伯拉罕已经完全而卓越地经受了这次考验，并借他忠心的表现挽回了他过去对于上帝所缺少的信靠；这一缺少曾导使他娶夏甲为妻。在亚伯拉罕表现信心和依靠之后，上帝又向他重申祂的应许：“耶和华的使者第二次从天上呼叫亚伯拉罕，耶和华说，你既行了这事，不留下你的儿子，就是你独生的儿子，我便指着自己起誓说：论福，我必赐大福给你；论子孙，我必叫你的子孙多起来，如同天上的星，海边的沙；你子孙必得着仇敌的城门。并且地上万国都必因你的后裔得福，因为你听从了我的话”（创22:16-18）。{SR 83.2}[24]
§61
Abraham had now fully and nobly borne the test, and by his faithfulness redeemed his lack of perfect trust in God, which lack led him to take Hagar as his wife. After the exhibition of Abrahams faith and confidence, God renewed His promise to him. And the angel of the Lord called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, and said, By myself I have sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: that in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed My voice. {SR 83.2}[24]