Think of this: A father, wild --- binding his beloved child ---
Troubled, heartsore, but devout --- laying wood upon the altar ---
Thinking on the word of God, thinking God’s command was odd,
After their long journey trod --- praying that his faith not falter ---
“What alone God makes to happen, God alone himself must alter”
Thinks the father by the altar.

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Lifting up his promised son --- God had promised him this son! ---
Laying him upon the wood --- comforts him where he is lying ---
Thinking now of Sarah crying, crying for her only son ---
While the lad lies, softly crying --- and the heart in him is dying ---
“Can I follow such a God, one who demands such awful dying?”
And the father now is crying.

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Taking up the knife and stretching out his arm, and nearly retching,
Sick in soul and sick in body at the deed that God wants done ---
Shouting now, at God, demanding God revise their understanding,
And abolish human sacrifice the pagans had begun ---
Or the covenants and promises that were so sweetly won
Would be voided, every one!

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Dared he to be so outspoken? Did his outburst then betoken
That the compact had been broken between God and mortal man?
Was God startled or dejected that his protege rejected --
Or, indeed, had God suspected that he would reject -- the plan?
And, indeed, had God respected Abraham, the mortal man,
For opposing such a plan?

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Did not Abraham once question God, and offer his suggestion,
When God told him His intention for the Cities of the Plain?
Did not Abraham appeal then to God’s justice with a zeal then
That God promised to repeal then, ‘if ten righteous men remain’?
God is open to appeal, then, that is humble and not vain,
‘If ten righteous men remain!’

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Now, the story that descended to us tells us how it ended,
With God’s angel stopping Abraham from slaying his dear son ---
That a ram was substituted, its burnt-offering well-suited,
To the worship instituted --- Thus had Abraham God won
To the practice instituted, and the worship then begun,
To the Merciful, the One.

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There is little doubt this story should be read as allegory,
With its purpose to discourage further human sacrifice.
Archaeologists discovered -- when Ba’al’s temple was uncovered --
And, in Ugarit, recovered burnt remains which did suffice
To confirm the somber ritual of infant sacrifice,
Ancient cruel sacrifice!

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