Sublime

If you find that you are like Isaac, born according to the promise, remember that your name means “laughter,” for that is the interpretation of the Hebrew name Isaac. Take care that you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.

In the third year of King Hoshea son of Elah of Israel, Hezekiah son of King Ahaz of Judah began to reign. 2He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign; he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Abi daughter of Zechariah. 3He did what was right in the sight of the LORD just as his ancestor David had done. 4He removed

Yet the child is born. He is called Isaac, meaning the “laughter” that turned from incredulity to rejoicing.

I have aroused Cyrus[131] in righteousness, and I will make all his paths straight; he shall build my city and set my exiles free, not for price or reward, says the LORD of hosts. 14 Thus says the LORD: The wealth of Egypt and the merchandise of Ethiopia,[132] and the Sabeans, tall of stature, shall come over to you and be yours, they shall follow

Thus says the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him and strip kings of their robes, to open doors before him— and the gates shall not be closed: 2 I will go before you and level the mountains,[127] I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut through the bars of iron, 3 I will give you

who confirms the word of his servant, and fulfills the prediction of his messengers; who says of Jerusalem, “It shall be inhabited,” and of the cities of Judah, “They shall be rebuilt, and I will raise up their ruins”;

In desperation Sarah gives Abraham her handmaid Hagar as wife, an established custom in patriarchal times. Hagar has a child, Ishmael. Now at last Abraham has a son. Yet God tells him that Ishmael is not the one. He too will be blessed and will become a great nation. But he is not the child of the covenant.

5 I am the LORD, and there is no other; besides me there is no god. I arm you, though you do not know me, 6 so that they may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is no one besides me; I am the LORD, and there is no other. 7 I form light and create darkness, I make weal and create woe; I the LORD do all these things. 8