The relationship between the sacrifice of Isaac and the sacrifice of Ishmael
is instructive in another way as well.
The question has been asked, "why didn't Abraham question the the command to
sacrifice Issac as he did the decree of death on the inhabitants of S'dom
and Amora?"
The answer is now clear; If G-d told Abraham not to question HIS WIFE'S
command to send away his child, despite the fact that this act seemed "evil"
to him, How could he now question G-d's command to perform a similarly
"evil" act with his other son?
This also explains why the Torah does not even report that Avraham's anguish
and displeasure with the command, as it does in connection to sending away
Yishmael. G-d had told him to do whatever Sarah says despite his own
personal feelings of right and wrong. He learned this lesson. When it came to
the Akeyda, he understood that he must do the will of G-d with regard to his
children and that his personal feelings should not be an issue.
Andy & Roochie Kohlenberg
akohl@netmedia.net.il