<b>And the Lord remembered Sarah (Gen. 21:1).</b> Scripture states elsewhere in reference to this verse: <i>That confirmeth the word of His servant, and performeth the counsel of His messengers. That saith of Jerusalem: “She shall be inhabited”; and of the cities of Judah: “They shall be built”</i> (Isa. 44:26). <i>That confirmeth the word of His servant</i> refers to Abraham, for the Holy One, blessed be He, said: I opened his womb (Abimelech) on account of Abraham, My servant, who prayed in his behalf, as it is said: <i>And Abraham prayed unto God</i> (Gen. 20:17). <i>Performeth the counsel of His messengers</i> alludes to the angels who informed Abraham that he would have an offspring, as it is said: <i>I will certainly return unto you when the season cometh around</i> (ibid. 18:10).
<i>That saith of Jerusalem: “She shall be inhabited”; and of the cities of Judah; “They shall be built”</i> (Isa 44:26) relates to the subject we are discussing. Though the nations were confident that Jerusalem would not be rebuilt, it will be rebuilt, as it is said: <i>That saith of Jerusalem: “She shall be inhabited”</i>, and it is written elsewhere: <i>When the Lord hath built Zion</i> (Ps. 102:17). But if you are doubtful as to the ultimate rebuilding of Jerusalem, <i>look unto Abraham, your father, and unto Sarah who bore you</i> (Isa. 51:2), for just as I did in behalf of Sarah and Abraham, so I shall do in behalf of Jerusalem.