Summary of Genesis 21:1-13:
Finally, Isaac arrives in God’s timing when Abraham is 100 years old. His name means “he laughs.” Isaac is circumcised at 8 days old. Of course, Ismael is jealous of Isaac. Abraham threw a big feast for Isaac when he was weaned, and Sarah told Abraham to get rid of Ismael and Hagar. God confirmed that they should go, so Abraham set them off one day and they wandered the desert of Beersheba. God tells Abraham that Ismael shall be a great nation as well.
BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 13, Day 3: Genesis 21:1-13
6) Lord was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did what he had promised at the very time God had promised.
7) Isaac will be recknoned and will be made into a great nation as well. Hagar bears children who are to be slaves. Galations 4 is Paul noticing the difference between those born of the flesh and those born of the promise. Of the promise is a gospel of faith, not one of reliance on your own power. Ismael represents those who rely on human power to accomplish tasks, which leaves people enslaved to the law and sin like Hagar. Isaac represents those who by faith alone are blessed and are set free to obey God.
8 ) God told Abraham to do what Sarah says and that He will handle the rest by making Ismael into a great nation.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 13, Day 3: Genesis 21:1-13
God has got everything.
End Notes BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 13, Day 3: Genesis 21:1-13
The Birth of Isaac
God fulfilles His promise with the birth of Isaac, 25 years after He first made the promise. This was an unconditional promise that Abraham had to do nothing to earn.
Isaac’s birth mirrors Jesus’ birth in many ways.
- Miraculous
- In God’s timing
- Both were promised by God
- Both were joyful (Genesis 21:6; Luke 1:46-47; 2:10-11).
- The births were assured (Genesis 18:13-14; Luke 1:34, 37).
Obviously, Ismael would be jealous. Isaac was the promised one, not him. Most Bible scholars agree that Isaac is three years old here.
Ismael was cast out because he was a son of the flesh, which cannot co-exist with those of the spirit.
While your family is a strong bond, God’s bond of faith is stronger. Sometimes, you have to make a tough decision and separate from the flesh, no matter the relationship, and trust that God will handle the rest. God will take care of Ismael, which is why they were given only a few supplies. Here, Abraham acts in faith, as opposed to the lie of Sarah as his sister in Genesis 20. Abraham may have wanted Ismael as a backup plan if Isaac died (remember in ancient times, many children never made it to adulthood). God says to separate completely.