Abraham Weeps in His Heart Yet Says Here I Am at the Akedah

(Genesis 22:1:) "Now it came to pass after these things, and so forth." This is what Scripture says (in Psalms 126:6): "Though he goes forth weeping, bearing the seed-bag, he shall surely come back with rejoicing, bearing his sheaves." "Though he goes forth": This is Abraham, at the hour when the Holy One tested him and said to him (in Genesis 22:2): "Please take, and so forth." Even so, in his heart he was weeping, yet with his mouth he said to Him (in Genesis 22:1): "Here I am." "Though he goes forth weeping" -- when? At the hour when he was "bearing the seed-bag," as it is said (in Genesis 21:12): "For in Isaac shall seed be called for you." "He shall surely come back with rejoicing, bearing his sheaves" -- (as in Genesis 22:19): "So Abraham returned to his young men." What caused him to receive a reward? Because he kept silent and made himself like one who is mute, as it is said (in Psalms 38:14): "But I am like a deaf man, I do not hear, [and like a mute man who does not open his mouth]." For he had occasion to open his mouth and say to Him: Yesterday You said to me, "For in Isaac shall seed be called for you," and now You say to me to slaughter him! Yet he said nothing and kept silent. Therefore, "he shall surely come back with rejoicing, bearing his sheaves."