THE COVENANT OF THE PIECES

Shortly after the war, God revealed Himself unto Abraham, to
soothe his conscience as to the spilling of innocent blood, for
it was a scruple that gave him much anguish of spirit. God
assured him at the same time that He would cause pious men to
arise among his descendants, who, like himself, would be a shield
unto their generation.[107] As a further distinction, God gave
him leave to ask what he would have, rare grace accorded to none
beside, except Jacob, Solomon, Ahaz, and the Messiah. Abraham
spoke, and said: "O Lord of the world, if in time to come my
descendants should provoke Thy wrath, it were better I remained
childless. Lot, for the sake of whom I journeyed as far as
Damascus, where God was my protection, would be well pleased to
be my heir. Moreover, I have read in the stars, 'Abraham, thou