Village Schools of the Bible

Genesis: A Devotional Study
by Max Frazier, Jr

This week, I want us to consider Genesis 21. Not a very pleasant chapter, as chapters go, but an important one nonetheless. In this chapter we observe God's providential care, even over the mistakes that we make.

Genesis 21

Key Words: "Hagar"; "Ishmael"; "well"; "Beersheba"

Key Verse: Verse 22 is a strong testimony concerning Abraham. I wonder if the world sees us in that way?

Purpose Statement: This chapter introduces us to Isaac, the child of promise. It also shares with us the heartache Abraham experienced due to the tension between Isaac and Ishmael. The chapter closes with an experience of Abraham with his neighbors.

Outline: The Birth of Isaac and the Sending Away of Ishmael

I. Birth of Isaac (vs. 1-7)
II. Hagar and Ishmael driven out (vs. 8-21)
A. Ishmael mocks Isaac (vs. 8-10)
B. Abraham sends Hagar and Ishmael away (vs. 11-14)
C. God's promise to Hagar concerning Ishmael (vs. 15-19)
D. Ishmael grows up (vs. 20-21)
III. Treaty between Abraham and Abimelech (vs. 22-34)

Questions to Probe: Was Sarah's attitude toward Hagar and Ishmael justified?

Thoughts to Ponder: This chapter shares two powerful stories about God and His faithfulness to His promises. First, there is the account of the birth of Isaac. What a miracle! Sarah was ninety. That is too old to have children. But God had promised them a child and God was faithful to that promise. A little matter of old age did not really matter to Him; after all He designed our reproductive system. What a miracle of God's faithfulness!

The second account concerns the sad story of Hagar and Ishmael. Although treated unfairly by Sarah and cast out of the family camp by Abraham, God had made a promise concerning the boy Ishmael, the son of Abraham's impatience with God. When it appeared that all was lost and the promise would die there in the wilderness, God appears. And the first of two great miracles of provision for the sparing of Abraham's sons occur - this time a well of water. how thankful we should be that God always keeps His word.

Study Notes: Ishmael was 14 when Isaac was born (Genesis 16:16). By the time Isaac was weaned, Ishmael could have been as old as 17. It was at this age that Abraham sent him and his mother out into the desert. But God was watching over Ishmael as well.

In verses 10 and 11 there is an interesting use of pronouns that tell of the tension between Sarah and Abraham. In verse 10 Sarah orders Abraham to expel Hagar and Ishmael from the camp for the sake of "my son" Isaac. Notice she did not say "our son." Then, in verse 11, Abraham, reflecting upon what Sarah had said, was greatly distressed because of "his son.' For those many years the sin of not waiting for God's timing had brought tension into Abraham's family.

I found it interesting that even the Philistines were aware of the presence of God as they observed the life of Abraham. Because of this fact there were certain expectations that followed. This scene reminded me of those words of Jesus that I am to be a light in the world (Matthew 5:14-16).

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: Too many people don't care what happens so long as it doesn't happen to them. (William Howard Taft)

Genesis 19-20 Return to Table of Contents Genesis 22