Genesis 21:1-34

21:1-2 | These verses mention the Lord’s promise three times to illustrate that everything happens exactly as God says it will(18:14; 1 Sam. 2:21; Gal. 4:23).

21:4 | Abraham celebrated his son’s birth by doing as God had commanded: he circumsiced… Isaac when he was eight days old. Obeying God from the beginning is a great start for any father.

21:6-7 | Sarah’s joy was beyond description: God has made me laugh (Ps. 126:2; Isa. 54:1). Isaac’s name means “[Yahweh] is Laughing [Now].” Her faith is celebrated in Hebrews 11:11 “because she judged Him faithful who had promised.”

21:9 | Ishmael, who was a teenager when Isaac was born, had to know that this birth was nothing but a miracle of God’s grace. Nevertheless, when Isaac became the center of attention, Ishmael began to scoff at him, and perhaps even his parents (Gal. 4:28-29).

21:11-13 | Sarah’s demand was both very displeasing to Abraham and distressing, because he loved Ishmael. To banish a surrogate mother went against cultural norms as well. Ultimately, this was such a personal and painful decision for Abraham that the Lord had to tell him to listen to Sarah. Obeying God can be heart-wrenching, but it must be done. in the end, both sons were greatly blessed.

21:14-20 | Sometimes God brings believers to a difficult place in the wilderness to discipline them so they can realize their need for Him. In the desert, people can see themselves as they really are (Ps. 119:67, 75). There they learn that He hears and will never leave or forsake His children (Deut. 31:6).

21:22-34 | Abraham’s interactions with the Philistine king (Abimelech) and the army commander (Phichol) over wells and water rights were one way he was a blessing to the nations.