Genesis 21 Chapter Commentary: The Birth of Isaac

Genesis 21 is the story of the birth of Isaac, the long-awaited son of Abraham and Sarah, and the events that follow. God had promised Abraham that he would become the father of many nations, but Sarah had been barren for many years. However, in her old age, she finally conceived and gave birth to Isaac.

The chapter also describes the tension between Sarah and Hagar, the Egyptian slave who had given birth to Abraham’s first son, Ishmael. Sarah became jealous and demanded that Abraham send Hagar and Ishmael away, fearing that Ishmael might challenge Isaac’s position as the promised son.

Abraham was initially reluctant, but God confirmed to him that Isaac was the true heir to the promise. He then sent Hagar and Ishmael away, providing them with provisions for their journey.

What’s the Main Point?

The main theme of Genesis 21 is the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham and Sarah. After many years of waiting and uncertainty, they finally received the long-awaited son, Isaac.

What Can We Learn from This Chapter?

Genesis 21 contains a number of significant teachings for us. Despite Abraham and Sarah’s elderly age, God kept his promise to them by bestowing a son, Isaac, proving his faithfulness to his word. This demonstrates to us that we can put our faith in God’s promises and know that he will carry them out according to his timing and will.

God’s orders must be followed: Abraham’s willingness to send Hagar and Ishmael away, despite the fact that it was a difficult choice, showed his faith in God’s plan. This reminds us the value of following God’s instructions, even when doing so means making sacrifices or going through difficult times.

God is compassionate toward the marginalized: When Hagar and Ishmael were banished, God showed them mercy by meeting their needs in the wilderness. This serves as a reminder that God is concerned about those who are weak or marginalized and challenges us to show the same compassion.

It was Abraham’s choice to produce a child with Hagar that caused animosity to develop between Isaac and Ishmael. This serves as a reminder that the decisions we make in life can have a lasting impact and that we should make an effort to do so.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we pray that you would help us to trust in your plans for our lives, even when they require sacrifice or seem difficult.

We also ask that you would give us the strength to obey your commands, knowing that your ways are always the best ways. Help us to have compassion for those who are vulnerable or marginalized, and to make wise decisions that honor you.

Thank you for your faithfulness, provision, and grace in our lives. May we always seek to follow you and bring glory to your name. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Thanks for joining us today!

For daily inspiration on God’s word, please like and follow our Facebook page and YouTube channel. The links are in the description.

Please also visit www.wisdombegun.com/genesis for more thought-provoking discussions on the Book of Genesis plus free downloads and presentations about the Genesis story – ideal for use at Bible Study groups or Sunday school lessons.

Wisdom Begun. God’s words delivered daily.

Featured image attribution:

Abraham going up to offer Isaac as a sacrifice, as in Genesis 22, illustration from the 1890 Holman Bible by illustrators of the 1890 Holman Bible. This image is in the public domain. Cropped from original.