Bible Knowledge Project: Genesis 21

Read: Genesis 21

Genesis 21 is a critical chapter within the Abrahamic narrative. The opening verses fulfill the promise made to Abraham regarding an heir – a son of his seed that will carry the thematic structure of the seed of the woman forward (See Gen. 3:15). The application of the opening verses should be a comfort to all of us as we ponder the promises of God given to us in his Word, knowing that he will do what he says. In obedience to God’s command, Abraham names his son Isaac (which means “laughter), circumcises him as he is a member of the visible church of old, and Sarah responds in praise to God for his blessing. That leads to another application for our lives. We often pray and ask God to remember his promises to us, but do we also remember to praise and thank him when he responds? It is easy to forget that, but we shouldn’t. We not only need God’s faithfulness, but we need to be faithful to thank him when he blesses us.

Paralleling the blessing of Isaac and the gladness that comes from the birth of Isaac is the grief and sadness that comes to Hagar and her son (21:8-21). God meets her in her distress and makes a covenant with her. Ishmael, who represents the seed of the serpent, will become mighty and a bitter enemy of God’s people.

Learn: The events that surround the birth of Isaac.

Application: Is anything too hard for the Lord? Sometimes you will think so. Sometimes you will wrestle with the fact that He who made the heavens and the earth by the Word of his power can do anything his holy will desires. It may not be that fact that troubles you, but the timing. Rest in the Lord. He knows what he is doing.