THE WORKS OF OUR HOLY FATHER JOHN CHRYSOSTOM, ARCHBISHOP OF CONSTANTINOPLE

Volume IV

Book 2

DISCOURSES ON THE BOOK OF GENESIS

DISCOURSE 42. The various virtues of Abraham and the call of his listeners to imitate him. Confirmation to Abraham of former promises and divine revelation of the inevitable destruction of the wicked cities. Abraham's intercession for them and the example of the widow of Zarephath.

DISCOURSE 43. The virtues of Lot among the corrupt inhabitants and the application of this to the life of Christians. Lot's love of strangers, worthy of imitation. The lawless intention of the Sodomites and Lot's self-sacrificing defense of strangers. The deliverance of Lot by the angels from destruction. Exhortation to love of strangers.

DISCOURSE 44. The exhortation is to receive the divine teaching with full attention. Abraham's compassion; the meaning of the intercession of the righteous for us: first of all, we must take care of ourselves and pray, and only then turn to the intercession of the Saints. Neither Lot nor his daughters need to be condemned. Perpetuating the memory in posterity by a virtuous life: a memorable example of Joseph's chastity.

DISCOURSE 45. The importance for the preacher of the good will of the listeners towards him. Abraham's settlement in the land of Gerar and the fear of death; true marriage. The divine deliverance of Sarah from dishonor and the justification of Abraham before Abimelech. Fulfillment of the divine promise of the birth of a son to Sarah. An exhortation to firm hope in God.

DISCOURSE 46. The extraordinary joy of Sarah after the birth of Isaac and the departure of Hagar with Ishmael. Divine providence for the exiled. The strength and security of the one who uses divine help. The disastrous actions of envy and exhortations to its eradication.

DISCOURSE 47. The divine command to sacrifice Isaac and the invincible firmness of Abraham's faith and obedience to the divine will. The educational significance of this sacrifice. An oath confirmation by God of the promises given before and an exhortation to the listeners to fulfill the divine commandments.

DISCOURSE 48. The burial of Sarah and the acquisition of Abraham's first landed property; the denunciation of contemporaries in their addiction to acquisitiveness and exhortation to justice and almsgiving. Abraham's concern for choosing a wife for Isaac from his kindred tribe and his firm faith in the Lord Providence. The story of the journey of the slave Abraham to Mesopotamia, with moral application to the life of the listeners.

DISCOURSE 49. Isaac's example of patience and perseverance in prayer. The reasons why the wives of the righteous were barren. Isaac's twenty-year prayer for Rebecca's barrenness and the urge to imitate the righteous man.

DISCOURSE 50. The piety and prudence of Rebecca, who asked the Lord (through the priest) when bearing fruit. Different occupations and tempers of the born twins. Esau's inattention to the gift of his birthright, and the suggestion to his hearers not to lose the great for the small and insignificant.