SCRIPTURE: GENESIS 21
BIBLE VERSES:
“Now the Lord was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did for Sarah what he had promised. Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him. Abraham gave the name Isaac to the son Sarah bore him. When his son Isaac was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him, as God commanded him. Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.” (Genesis 21:1-5)
“Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.” And she added, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.” (Genesis 21:6-7)
THE BIRTH OF ISAAC (vs. 1-7)
The Lord promised Abraham and Sarah a son. Sarah became pregnant and bore a son named Isaac. When Isaac was 8 days old, he was circumcised. Sarah was very happy saying: “God has brought me laughter and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me” (v. 7)
HAGAR AND ISHMAEL SENT AWAY (vs. 8-21)
On the day Isaac was weaned, they held a great feast. But Ishmael, the son of Hagar was mocking. So, Sarah told Abraham to get rid of Hagar and Ishmael. Abraham was distressed because it was his son but the Lord told Abraham to listen to Sarah. So, Abraham gave Hagar some food and water and sent her off together with the boy. Sarah went off and wandered in the desert of Beersheba. When they were out of water, Hagar cried and the Lord from heaven assured to make Ishmael into a great nation. God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. Hagar filled up the water and gave the boy a drink. They lived in a desert of and the boy became an archer. His mother got a wife for him from Egypt.
THE TREATY OF BEERSHEBA (vs. 22-34)
Abimelech, the king of Gerar and Phicol, the commander met with Abraham to make a peace deal with him. Abraham complained to him about the well being seized from his servants. Abimelec agreed to give it back to Abraham. Abraham gave Abimelech sheep and and cattle and set apart 7 ewe lambs from the flock as witness that he owned the well. So both of them swore with an oath and sign a treaty at Beersheba. Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba and called upon the name of the Lord, the Eternal God.
THOUGHTS:
Abraham had a good testimony before his unsaved neighbor over the conflict of the well. Abraham agreed to settle the problem in a diplomatic way. They exchanged proper gifts and made the proper sacrifices for seating a covenant. When we face test with neighbor or business, let us settle it in a Christian way.
ISHMAEL VS. ISAAC:
- Ishmael was a child of a slave / Isaac was a child of the spirit.
- Ishmael symbolized God’s Old Covenant of Law / Isaac symbolized His New Covenant of grace.
- Ishmael was the son of a slave / Isaac was the son of a freewoman.
- Ishmael was born in man’s way / Isaac was born in God’s way.