Ambrose of Milan : Let us imitate Isaac's goodness; let us imitate his purity. Isaac was certainly a good and virtuous man, devoted to God and faithful to his wife. He did not return evil for evil. He yielded to those who drove him out, but he received them again when they were sorry, being neither harsh to insolence nor obdurate to kindness. When he went away from others, he fled to avoid strife. When he received them again, he readily forgave them, and he was exceptionally kind when he pardoned. Men sought to associate with him, and he added a delightful feast. — On the Decease of His Brother Satyrus, Book 2, Section 99 Origen of Alexandria : But what do they ask? "Do not do," they say, "evils with us; but as we have not cursed you, so also may you be blessed of the Lord." They seem to me through these words to be demanding remission of sins, that they may not receive evils. They ask for a blessing, not for retribution. Finally, see what follows. "And Isaac made for them," it says, "a great feast: and they ate and drank." For it is certain that he who ministers the word "is a debtor to the wise and the unwise." Since therefore here he provides a feast for the wise, for that reason it is said that he made not a small, but a "great feast." And you too, if you are not yet a "little one" and in need of "milk," but bring "practised senses" and, with much learning sent ahead, come more capable for the understanding of the word of God, a "great feast" is made for you too. There will not be prepared for you the food of the feeble, "herbs," nor will you be nourished with "milk," with which "little ones" are nourished, but the minister of the word will make for you a "great feast." He will speak to you "wisdom," which is brought forth "among the perfect," he will bring forth to you "the wisdom of God hidden in mystery, which none of the princes of this world knew." He will reveal to you Christ, according to this, that in him "all the treasures of wisdom are hidden." He makes for you therefore a "great feast" and he himself feasts with you, if he does not find you such that he must say to you that: "I could not speak to you as to spiritual, but as to carnal; as to little ones in Christ." This he says to the Corinthians, to whom he also adds: "for since there are contentions and dissensions among you, are you not carnal, and do you walk according to man?" For these Paul "did not make a great feast," to such a degree that, when he was among them and was in need, he was a burden to none, nor ate bread freely from anyone; but his own hands, labouring night and day, ministered to himself and to all who were with him. So far, therefore, were the Corinthians from having a "great feast" made for them, that the preacher of the word of God could not have among them even the least or slightest feast. But those who know how to hear more perfectly, who bring learned and "practised senses" to the hearing of the word of God, for these a "great feast" is made, with these Isaac feasts, and not only feasts, but also, rising up with an oath, promises them peace concerning things to come. Let us therefore also pray to approach the hearing of the word of God with such a mind, with such faith, that he may deign to make for us a "great feast." For "Wisdom has slain her victims, has mingled her wine in the bowl, and has sent her servants," that they may lead to her feast all, as many as they may find. Only let us, having entered the feast of wisdom, not again bring with us the garments of foolishness, not clothed about with the garment of unfaithfulness, not darkened with the stains of sins, but in simplicity and purity of heart let us embrace the word and serve the divine wisdom, which is Christ Jesus our Lord, "to whom is glory and dominion unto the ages of ages. Amen." — HOMILIES ON Genesis 14.4