Genesis 22:15

These words require an attentive and intent hearer. For it is something new that it says: "and the angel of the Lord called Abraham a second time from heaven." What it adds, however, is not new. For "blessing I will bless you" had already been said before too, and "multiplying I will multiply you" was promised before, and "your seed shall be as the stars of heaven, and as the sand of the sea" had also been declared earlier. What then is there now that is more, which is cried out from heaven a second time? What new thing is added to the old promises? What greater reward is given in that it says: "because you have done this word," that is, because you offered your son, because you did not spare your only son? I see nothing added; the same things are repeated that had earlier been promised. Will it then seem superfluous to go over the same things more often? On the contrary, it is necessary. For all the things that are done are done in mysteries. If Abraham had lived only "according to the flesh" and had been the father of one people, whom he begot "according to the flesh," one promise would have sufficed. But now, in order to show that he was to be first the father of those who "according to the flesh" are circumcised, at the time of his circumcision there is given to him a promise, which ought to pertain to the people of circumcision. Secondly, because he was to be the father also of those who "are of faith" and who come to the inheritance through the passion of Christ, at the time of Isaac's passion the promise is nonetheless renewed, which ought to pertain to that people which is saved by the passion and resurrection of Christ. And indeed the same things seem to be repeated, but they are far different. For those things which were said earlier and pertain to the earlier people were said on earth. For thus Scripture says: "and he led him out"—out of the tent, that is—"and said to him: look at the stars of heaven, if they can be numbered for their multitude. And he added: so shall your seed be." But where the promise is repeated a second time, it indicates that he spoke to him "from heaven"; and the first promise is given from the earth, the second "from heaven." Does it not here plainly seem to indicate that which the Apostle says: "the first man from the earth, earthy; the second man from heaven, heavenly"? This promise, therefore, which pertains to the…