the past, he refers her to recent events so as to make an impact on her thinking.17 (12) It is necessary, however, to bring you back to the previous subject and make you aware of this good man’s virtue, how through prayer he solved the problem of Rebecca’s barrenness and overcame the obstacles of nature. “Isaac made supplication for his wife Rebecca,” the text says, remember, “because she was barren, and God heard him.” Don’t think, because it is written straight afterwards, that he immediately attained