Genesis 21 (The Birth of Isaac)
V. 5-7
...Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.
6 Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.” 7 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.”
The birth of Isaac meant:
1. The fulfillment of God's promise
2.The rewarding of patience
3. The revelation of God's power !!!
*Abraham represents FAITH
*Sarah represents GRACE
**So, Isaac was born BY GRACE, THROUGH FAITH!
The ONLY way we can enter the family of God.
John 3:16-18
Remember Ishmael represents born of the flesh (first birth)
Isaac represents born of the Spirit (second birth)
(21:8) The child grew and was weaned, and on the day Isaac was weaned Abraham held a great feast.
*New birth is not the end, but the beginning! We must be replaced by tools and selfish security by (unselfish service).
John 12:23-26
V.8-21 (Hagar and Ishmael sent away)
9 But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking, 10 and she said to Abraham, “Get rid of that slave woman and her son, for that woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac.”
*The first time Sarai (prior to her name change) she sends for Hagar to bear her a son.
(16:2) so she said to Abram, “The Lord has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my slave; perhaps I can build a family through her.”
*The second time Sarah (after her name change) she sends Hagar away!
(21:11-13)...The matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son. 12 But God said to him, “Do not be so distressed about the boy and your slave woman. Listen to whatever Sarah tells you, because it is through Isaac that your offspring[b] will be reckoned. 13 I will make the son of the slave into a nation also, because he is your offspring.”
Though Hagar & Ishmael are sent away, Abraham is grieved at sending his son away. God reveals that He will provide for them
(20:11-14) The matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son. But God said to him, “Do not be so distressed about the boy and your slave woman. Listen to whatever Sarah tells you, because it is through Isaac that your offspring[b] will be reckoned. 13 I will make the son of the slave into a nation also, because he is your offspring.”
Early the next morning Abraham took some food and a skin of water and gave them to Hagar. He set them on her shoulders and then sent her off with the boy. She went on her way and wandered in the Desert of Beersheba.
15 When the water in the skin was gone, she put the boy under one of the bushes. 16 Then she went off and sat down about a bowshot away, for she thought, “I cannot watch the boy die.” And as she sat there, she[c] began to sob.
*Though Hagar had been at this point before, she chose to forget the promise God had declared over Ishmael's life years before; however, Ishmael did not...
17 God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. 18 Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation.”
19 Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink.
20 God was with the boy as he grew up. He lived in the desert and became an archer.21 While he was living in the Desert of Paran, his mother got a wife for him from Egypt.
*Hagar represents the lost. Wandering around lost, in need of water! We, as Christ followers must meet this need and share of THE living water, JESUS!
John 7:37
Revelation 22:17
The Treaty at Beersheba (22-34)
22 At that time Abimelek and Phicol the commander of his forces said to Abraham, “God is with you in everything you do"
*What an INCREDIBLE statement and truth for Abraham to know...
Best Part...
As Christians, WE HAVE THIS SAME TRUTH!
*Because of Abrahams favor with God, Abimelech encouraged him to ask anything...
25 Then Abraham complained to Abimelek about a well of water that Abimelek’s servants had seized. 26 But Abimelek said, “I don’t know who has done this. You did not tell me, and I heard about it only today.”
27 So Abraham brought sheep and cattle and gave them to Abimelek, and the two men made a treaty. 28 Abraham set apart seven ewe lambs from the flock, 29 and Abimelek asked Abraham, “What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs you have set apart by themselves?”
30 He replied, “Accept these seven lambs from my hand as a witness that I dug this well.”
31 So that place was called Beersheba,[d] because the two men swore an oath there.
*The two men made a covenant, representing the loyalty and trust found on that day. The two would no longer disagree over who dug the well but chose to come in agreement and pursue peace.
Throughout the book of Genesis we find Gods faithfulness and favor towards Abraham as he proves himself time and time again! I hope this is encouraging to you and spurs you on to learn, grow, and press into the beauty of Gods word!
Joyfully,
Hannah
No comments:
Post a Comment