Genesis 21 – Old People Have A Baby

 God visited Sarah just as He promised and He held true to His word. Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the time God said it would happen. (They obviously experienced that time of pleasure as Sarah remembered it in Genesis 18.) Abraham named his son, Isaac. He circumcised Isaac when he was eight days old as the Lord commanded (Genesis 17.) When Isaac was born, Abraham was 100 years old. Sarah said, “God has made me laugh, and all who hear will laugh with me.” Has God ever made you laugh? 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.” Isaac grew up and was weaned. On the day that Isaac was weaned, Abraham had a great feast.

Sarah saw Ishmael ridiculing Isaac. Of course, Sarah would have an issue with this. What good mom wouldn’t? She told Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away. She said that Ishmael will not be an heir with Isaac. Remember, it was Sarah (Sarai) who told Abraham (Abram) to have a child with Hagar (trying to help God out in Genesis 16). Of course, Abraham wasn’t pleased with this situation because, after all, Ishmael is his son also. God told Abraham not to let the situation displease him and to do what Sarah said. Abraham’s seed will be in Isaac and in Ishmael as well.

Abraham got up early the next morning and gave Hagar a skin of water and bread, putting it on her shoulder, he sent them away. Hagar and Ishmael left and wandered in the Wilderness of Beersheba. When the water was gone, Hagar left Ishmael under a shrub and she went and sat about a bow shot’s distance from him. She didn’t want to see her son die. Since I don’t have any biological children nor have I raised a child, I can only try to imagine how Hagar must have felt, thinking that she will watch her son die. I can only try to imagine a mother’s pain when she sees her child suffering or has to bury a child regardless of age. My prayers are with moms who have buried children under any circumstance, especially those due to accidents and violence. Hagar sat opposite of Ishmael and cried. God heard Ishmael’s cries too. An angel of the Lord called out to Hagar from heaven and asked her what was the matter. The angel told her not to fear because God heard Ishmael’s cries as well. He will also be a great nation. So he told Hagar to rise up and take Ishmael by the hand. Then God opened Hagar’s eyes and she saw a well of water and gave some to Ishmael to drink. God was with Ishmael as he grew and became an archer dwelling in the Wilderness of Paran. Hagar got a wife for Ishmael from Egypt.

Abimelech and the commander of his army, Phichol, spoke to Abraham because they recognized that God was with him in all that he did. Notice that Abimelech didn’t go to Abraham alone. He took the commander of his army with him. When others see the favor of God on your life, it can put fear into them. Abraham was asked to swear by God that he would not deal falsely with Abimelech, his children and future generations. He asked Abraham to show him and the land the same kindness he was extended. Abraham swore to do so.

Apparently, there was an issue over a well that Abimelech’s servants seized and Abraham complained to him about it. Abimelech was not aware of this issue until Abraham mentioned it. Abraham gave Abimelech sheep and oxen and the two of them made a covenant. Then Abraham set aside seven ewe lambs from the flock. Abimelech questioned this move. Abraham told Abimelech to take the ewe lambs and that they will be his (Abraham’s) witness that he dug the well in dispute. They named the place where they swore the oath, Beersheba. Afterwards Abimelech and Phichol left and returned to the land of the Philistines.

Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba and there he called on the name of the Lord, the Everlasting God.

Abraham stayed in the land of the Philistines for many days.

The journey will continue to Genesis 22.

To God Be The Glory!