October 2, 2024

October 2:  Happy People.

The Joy at the Birth of a Child.
And Sarah said, "God has made me laugh, and all who hear will laugh with me."--Genesis 21:6, NKJV

THERE WAS GIVEN TO ABRAHAM the promise, especially dear to the people of that age, of a numerous posterity and of national greatness: "I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing."  And to this was added the assurance, precious above every other to the inheritor of faith, that of his line the Redeemer of the world should come: "In thee shall all families of the4 earth be blessed."--Patriarchs and Prophets, 125.

When Abraham was nearly one hundred years old, the promise of a son was repeated to him, with the assurance that the future heir should be the child of Sarah.  But Abraham did not yet understand the promise.  His mind at once turned to Ishmael, clinging to the belief that through him God's gracious purposes were to be accomplished....Again the promise was given, in words that could not be mistaken: "Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish My covenant with him."...

The birth of Isaac, bringing, after a lifelong waiting, the fulfillment of their dearest hopes, filled the tents of Abraham and Sarah with gladness.--Patriarchs and Prophets, 146.

Isaac was her joy and pride; her life was bound up in him.--Patriarchs and Prophets, 148.

             And Sarah said, "God has made me laugh, and all who hear will laugh with me."
                               She also said, "Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah
                            would nurse children?  For I have borne him a son in his old age."
                              
                                                                      --Genesis 21:6, 7, NKJV