[326] The Mussulmans tell the story of Ishmael almost in every particular the same as that given below.
[327] Exod. iv. 20.
[328] Zech. ix. 9.
[329] When King Sapor heard the R. Samuel explain that Messiah would come riding on an ass, the king said, “I will give him a horse; it is not seemly that he should ride an ass.” “What,” answered the Rabbi, “hast thou a horse with a hundred colors?” (Talmud, Tract. Sanhedrim, fol. 98, col. 1.)
[330] The day is uncertain. Some say it was the 3d Nisan; others, it was the first of the seventh month, Tischri, New Year’s day; others, that it was the Day of Atonement. Some say Isaac’s age was 37; others say 36; others 26; others 25; others 16; others 13; others, again, say 5; and others say only 2 years.
[331] In the Rabbinic tradition, the type of Christ comes out more distinctly than in Genesis, for here we see Isaac not merely offered by his father, but also giving himself as a free-will offering, immaculate without in his body, and within in his soul.
[332] Might not these words be spoken mystically of Christ?
[333] And these prophetic. Abraham means that God must take care of him in his old age. But they may also be taken by us thus, God must take thy place as the victim.
[334] Here again—it may be fanciful—but I cannot help thinking we have the type continued of Christ’s presence perpetuated in the Church, in the Tabernacle in which the Host is reserved, that all passing by may look thereupon and worship, and “Remember Me” in the adorable Sacrament. With a vast amount of utterly unfounded fable, the Rabbinic traditions may, and probably do, contain much truth.
[335] “If I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you.” (John xvi. 7.)