Genesis 21

Genesis 21:1

8. Isaac, Son of the Promise (Chap. 21)21:1-10 When the promised son was born to Abraham and Sarah, the ecstatic parents named him Isaac (“laughter”), as commanded by God (Gen_17:19, Gen_17:21). This expressed their own delight and the delight of all who would hear the news. Isaac was probably from two to five years old when he was weaned. Ishmael would have been between thirteen and seventeen. When Sarah saw Ishmael mocking Isaac at the weaning party, she ordered Abraham to cast out Hagar and her son. Paul interprets this action as evidence that law persecutes grace, that law and grace cannot be mixed, and that spiritual blessings cannot be obtained on the legal principle (Gal_4:29). 21:11-13 Abraham was grieved to lose Hagar and Ishmael, but God consoled him with the promise that Ishmael would become the father of a great nation. And yet the Lord made it clear that Isaac was the promised son through whom the covenant would be carried out. 21:14-21 When Hagar and the boy almost perished from thirst in the desert south of Canaan, God caused them to find a well, and they were spared. Ishmael was in his teens at this time; therefore, verse 15 probably means that Hagar pushed him under one of the shrubs in his weakness. Ishmael’s name, “God hears,” is found twice in verse 17"God heard" and “God has heard.” Children and young people should be encouraged to pray. God hears and answers! 21:22-34 The Abimelech in verse 22 is not necessarily the same one as in chapter 20. This chieftain’s servants had taken a well of water from Abraham’s men. When Abimelech and Abraham made a treaty of friendship, the patriarch told Abimelech about the well that had been seized. The result was a covenant granting the well to Abraham. He promptly named it Beersheba (“well of the oath”). The place later became a city, marking the southernmost boundary of the land. Abraham planted a tamarisk tree as a memorial.