GENESIS
CHAPTER
21
1. The LORD dealt with Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did for Sarah as he had promised.
(Genesis chapter 21 verse 1)
Verse one of the twenty-first chapter of the book of Genesis, is a typical confirmation that God is totally faithful to us. He not only hears our prayers, but also responds to them all in His good time, when he deems it as being good for us. God's motto is 'never harm your clients'. The only harm we can experience is either from our egoistic self, or from others.
2. Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the time of which God had spoken to him.
(Genesis chapter 21 verse 2)
In order for God to unravel His plan for our salvation, God made what was considered as being impossible possible. He went against the course of nature. Therefore never fear because for God nothing is impossible. He is the 'Master Creator' and it is he who has the 'original manual of creation', so trust in God and do not waste time worrying about global warming etc. God is in control over both life and death. When you know the pilot rest assured and enjoy the ride. You will surely arrive at your destination if you leave the driving to the pilot, instead of wrestling with him to take control of your life and its decisions.
3. Abraham gave the name Isaac to his son whom Sarah bore him.
(Genesis chapter 21 verse 3)
With reference to verse three from the twenty-first chapter of the book of Genesis, we cannot fail to observe Abraham's obedience to the will of God.
With reference to verse three from the twenty-first chapter of the book of Genesis, we cannot fail to observe Abraham's obedience to the will of God.
4. And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him.
(Genesis chapter 21 verse 4)
As in the case of Abraham when it comes to showing our obedience to the will and Word of God we are to be the ones who set the example, instead of waiting for others to make the first step in giving testimony by both words and more by deeds.
5. Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.
(Genesis chapter 21 verse 5)
On going back to chapter 12 of the book of Genesis and compare Abraham and his age at the time of Isaac's birth we can draw the following inference:
On making a list of the post-flood descendants of Noah we are given the following results;
Shem when 100 years old fathered children and died at 500 years
Arpachshad when 35 years old fathered children and died at 400 years.
Shelah when 30 years old fathered children and died at 403 years.
Eber fathered children when 34 years old and died at 430 years.
Peleg fathered children at 30 years old and died at 209 years.
Reu fathered children at 32 years old and died at 207 years.
Serug fathered children at 30 years old and died at 200 years.
Nahor fathered children at 29 years old.
Abraham can be said to have matched Shem in age when he fathered offspring, who died later on at the age of 500 years old which is the maximum age lived by his descendants of the post-flood generation.
6. Now Sarah said, "God has brought laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me."
(Genesis chapter 21 verse 6)
On observing Sarah we can sense a change in her attitude on having experienced God's direct intervention in her life. Previously others would laugh at her for not having the capacity to bear children, now she declares that those who come to know of her experience laugh with her. In a split second God can bring radical changes in our lives, but do we need to see results before we place our faith in God?
7. And she said, ' Who would ever have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age."
(Genesis chapter 21 verse 7)
God is able to go against old and even new theories or even grand theories held by all the sciences, and make possible all that is theoretically impossible to be done so that His glory, love and mercy may be manifested to us so that our strength and faith in Him will continue to be increased.
8. The child grew, and was weaned; and Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned.
(Genesis chapter 21 verse 8)
Abraham celebrated the birth of Isaac. This is a very important event. When we were born and baptized we were introduced into the Roman Catholic Church to become future active members in it. If I had to ask you or myself, the date of our baptism would this come to mind or not. I think not, however this is indeed a very important day in the life of Christians that we are to commemorate as much as our birthday, wedding anniversary etc.
9. But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, playing with her son Isaac.
(Genesis chapter 21 verse 9)
On viewing the film Abraham, I observed that the games played during these times were games that proved the participants strength and skill. It follows that Isaac being younger than Ishmael was not as strong as Ishmael and therefore was at a loss in such games. It seems to be that Sarah witnessed such an event and did not like it one bit because she expected her son to be superior to the son of the slave girl and felt jealous or anxious that one day the members of the tribe would look up on Ishmael as their leader and not at her son Isaac.
Our personal expectations may cloud our judgement even where the will of God is concerned. God had promised Abraham and Sarah that from Isaac and his descendants His people would come to be, however Sarah still felt anxious about this issue leading to her experiencing negative feelings and fears.
10. So she said to Abraham, "Cast out this slave woman with her son; for the son of this slave woman shall not inherit along with my son Isaac."
(Genesis chapter 21 verse 10)
As already mentioned Sarah's concern was that one day Ishmael would share the same inheritance of Isaac, which according to God's promise this would never be the case. Ishmael was promised to father a nation, however in no way was his inheritance was to interfere with that of Isaac, from whom the Son of God was to descend.
Another issue is that of using people until they satisfy our needs. As long as Hagar gave Sarah the son that she wanted everything was ok, however when Isaac was born and Ishmael and Hagar where no longer necessary to Sarah she started viewing mother and son as a threat instead of a blessing. On reflecting God and religion can have the same effect on us. As long as God always says yes to our wishes all is well in our relationship, however when our needs are fulfilled the degree of relationship with God my not remain as it originally was. This is something we are to remain aware of forever.
11. The matter was very distressing to Abraham on account of his son. 12 But God said to Abraham, "Do not be distressed because of the boy and because of your slave woman; whatever Sarah says to you, do as she tells you, for it is through Isaac that offspring shall be named for you. 13 As for the son of the slave woman, I will make a nation of him also, because he is your offspring."
(Genesis chapter 21 verses 11 to 13)
On reflecting on verses 11 to 13 it is very interesting how God bids Abraham to listen to his wife and obey her in her wishes during such moments of stress. God wants us to seek His support but He also wants us to find the support of each other especially in marriage. God is the agent that keeps the bond of marriage secure therefore we are to refer to God as a couple every day of our lives especially during times of trouble and tribulation. As for God He keeps working in the background of the situation taking control of those factors that are beyond our control.
14. So Abraham rose early in the morning, and took bread and a skin of water, and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, along with the child, and sent her away. And she departed, and wandered about in the wilderness of Beer-sheba.
(Genesis chapter 21 verse 14)
Verse fourteen poses a bit if a problem for us to comprehend. For some reason, the biblical author portrays, the son of the slave as being younger than that previously referred to. Ishmael is in fact older than Isaac and would be very heavy to carry on her shoulder.
Every day God gently puts the cross on our shoulder, to carry. Moreover along with the cross God gives us the much needed nourishment that is Himself in the Holy Eucharist to keep us going moreover He gives us his Holy Word that is also a source of nourishment for us.
Hagar headed for the wilderness. Our wilderness can be that situation in which we feel alone and without the much needed support. However the lonelier we may feel, the more God is close by to protect us from incurring spiritual or physical harm that is detrimental to our soul.
15. When the water in the skin was gone, she cast the child under one of the bushes. 16 Then she went and sat down opposite him a good way off, about the distance of a bowshot; for she said, "Do not let me look on the death of the child." And as she sat opposite him, she lifted up her voice and wept.
(Genesis chapter 21 verses 15 and 16)
Generally like Hagar when our resources are depleted we tend to turn on God in desperation and cry out our hearts to Him. She could bear the sight of experiencing the death of her son. On reflecting we cannot bear the death of the body, but how about the death or loss of our spiritual side that is our soul? Would we share the same feelings if we lost our faith in God? This is an issue that we are to stop and reflect on. Is our faith dear to us, or can we do without God in our lives? Is going to mass a routine procedure or do we crave to meet God and have communion with Him?
17. And God heard the voice of the boy; and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, and said to her, "What troubles you, Hagar? Do not be afraid; for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. 18. Come, lift up the boy and hold him fast with your hand, for I will make a great nation of him."
(Genesis chapter 21 verses 17 to 18)
God immediately intervenes in our times of trouble. Although He is fully aware of our tribulations He stills prompts us to focus on the root of our problem instead of on external issues related to the problem. Although at the time in question we may not have the answer to that question God still lends us a hand in the situation, either directly or indirectly by providing the necessary material sources or human resources. None of our prayers ever go to waste. God has one big ear that misses nothing both our blessings and even our curses.
19. Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. She went, and filled the skin with water, and gave the boy a drink.
(Genesis chapter 21 verse 19)
Although God may not always instantly intervene by providing the necessary resources, He may opt for removing the clouds from our mind in order for us to be able to perceive the necessary solutions. The solution or well of water, may have always been there however, due to our sorrow, we were not in a state to see it. Moreover when being in a state of wilderness and desolation our relationship with God of grace is the only reasonable solution. I pray that we all drink of the grace of God and make a new experience of Him.
20. God was with the boy, and he grew up; he lived in the wilderness, and he became an expert with the bow. 21 He lived in the wilderness of Paran; and his mother got a wife for him from the land of Egypt.
(Genesis chapter 21 verses 20 to 21)
At times we can also be living in our wilderness. This is a period of solitude in our lives, when God can speak to us and show us things about our selves and lives, that were not possible to be perceived during our everyday life. While in his care God gives us the necessary skills and needs in order to live our daily lives. God gave Ishmael skills of the bow in order to survive and even a wife from which his promised ancestors would descend.
While in a period of desolation it is common for us to return to our roots which serve as our security. At times these security systems may consist of family and friends among others. In Hagar's case she went home to Egypt and found her son a wife of her line of descent.
22. At that time Abimelech, with Phicol the commander of his army, said to Abraham, "God is with you in all that you do; 23 now therefore swear to me here by God that you will not deal falsely with me or with my offspring or with my posterity, but as I have dealt loyally with you, you will deal with me and with the land where you have resided as an alien." 24 And Abraham said, " I swear it."
(Genesis chapter 21 verses 22 to 24)
According to Abimelech, Abraham had grown successful in all his transactions and grew in power and prestige. Moreover this worried the king and instilled fear in him that one day Abraham would overthrow him. Therefore the king, sought to seek peace and friendship with Abraham and made a pact to bind them together in peace forever.
At times we may also choose to be friends with God or the Devil simply because we fear them or because we perceive that one day we can use them or their services for our material good or security as in the case of Abraham. When accepting such commitments we are to analyze or agendas or reasons for accepting such a relationship. If our reasons are not genuine we had better think again or terminate the whole affair.
25. When Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well of water that Abimelech's servants had seized, 26 Abimelech said, " I do not know who has done this; you did not tell me, and I have not heard of it until today."
(Genesis chapter 21 verses 25 to 26)
In order to confirm if a friend is truly a friend, or whether he or she is using us as protection or for his or her advantage, we are to analyze the friend's actions. On having pledged peace between them Abimelech gave Abraham the cold shoulder in relation to an issue of utter importance and did not give Abraham the much needed support and justice. Abimelech wanted only to take advantage of the pact between Abraham and himself, but on the other hand did not want to contribute to it.
27. So Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelech, and the two men made a covenant. 28 Abraham set apart seven ewe lambs of the flock. 29 And Abimelech said to Abraham, "What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs that you have set apart?"30 He said, "These seven ewe lambs you shall accept from my hand, in order that you may be a witness for me that I dug this well."
(Genesis chapter 21 verses 27 to 30)
As in the case of Abraham we are to set the example and offer to be the peacemakers, that is after having consulted God's will in prayer and or, with our spiritual director that is important for one to have and then and only then we make the decision to sustain the friendship. On discerning the will of God He may show us that it is not His will for us to engage in such a relationship at all, thus in such circumstances, we would need to obey the will of God instead that of our own.
31. Therefore that place was called Beer-sheba; because there both of them swore an oath.
(Genesis chapter 21 verse 31)
On reflecting we all have a place were we made an oath with God this took place at the time of our baptism and confirmation and these places we are to consider as being special especially when considering the connotations associated with them.
32. When they had made a covenant at Beer-sheba, Abimelech, with Phicol the commander of his army, left and returned to the land of the Philistines. 33. Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beer-sheba, and called there on the name of the LORD, the Everlasting God. 34 And Abraham resided as an alien many days in the land of the Philistines.
(Genesis chapter 21 verses 32 to 34)
When we make a promise to God this is a very important thing. In order to remember this occasion such as marriage we perform certain activities such as a wedding in order to express our feelings and value of such an act. In the case of people who do not share the same value, as in the case of Abimelech and Phicol, they simply left that location as if nothing had happened. On the other hand, Abraham chose to remember that day by planting the tamarisk tree that he dedicated to God.
I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer:
Thank you God for making possible, the seemingly impossible to be done. I thank you for curing me of a chronic condition that is irritable bowel syndrome which is medically held to be a disease that once incurred is there for life. None of the doctors that I saw believed in the existence of any remedy that would bring total remission of the painful symptoms, but you succeeded in healing me. I have no other words but thank you to say to you my father. I pray and intercede in the name of many others that if it is your will you will also give them complete healing. However Oh God although physical healing is important, spiritual and psychological healing are also important, and in this respect, I also thank you for your healing.
6. Now Sarah said, "God has brought laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me."
(Genesis chapter 21 verse 6)
On observing Sarah we can sense a change in her attitude on having experienced God's direct intervention in her life. Previously others would laugh at her for not having the capacity to bear children, now she declares that those who come to know of her experience laugh with her. In a split second God can bring radical changes in our lives, but do we need to see results before we place our faith in God?
7. And she said, ' Who would ever have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age."
(Genesis chapter 21 verse 7)
God is able to go against old and even new theories or even grand theories held by all the sciences, and make possible all that is theoretically impossible to be done so that His glory, love and mercy may be manifested to us so that our strength and faith in Him will continue to be increased.
8. The child grew, and was weaned; and Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned.
(Genesis chapter 21 verse 8)
Abraham celebrated the birth of Isaac. This is a very important event. When we were born and baptized we were introduced into the Roman Catholic Church to become future active members in it. If I had to ask you or myself, the date of our baptism would this come to mind or not. I think not, however this is indeed a very important day in the life of Christians that we are to commemorate as much as our birthday, wedding anniversary etc.
9. But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, playing with her son Isaac.
(Genesis chapter 21 verse 9)
On viewing the film Abraham, I observed that the games played during these times were games that proved the participants strength and skill. It follows that Isaac being younger than Ishmael was not as strong as Ishmael and therefore was at a loss in such games. It seems to be that Sarah witnessed such an event and did not like it one bit because she expected her son to be superior to the son of the slave girl and felt jealous or anxious that one day the members of the tribe would look up on Ishmael as their leader and not at her son Isaac.
Our personal expectations may cloud our judgement even where the will of God is concerned. God had promised Abraham and Sarah that from Isaac and his descendants His people would come to be, however Sarah still felt anxious about this issue leading to her experiencing negative feelings and fears.
10. So she said to Abraham, "Cast out this slave woman with her son; for the son of this slave woman shall not inherit along with my son Isaac."
(Genesis chapter 21 verse 10)
As already mentioned Sarah's concern was that one day Ishmael would share the same inheritance of Isaac, which according to God's promise this would never be the case. Ishmael was promised to father a nation, however in no way was his inheritance was to interfere with that of Isaac, from whom the Son of God was to descend.
Another issue is that of using people until they satisfy our needs. As long as Hagar gave Sarah the son that she wanted everything was ok, however when Isaac was born and Ishmael and Hagar where no longer necessary to Sarah she started viewing mother and son as a threat instead of a blessing. On reflecting God and religion can have the same effect on us. As long as God always says yes to our wishes all is well in our relationship, however when our needs are fulfilled the degree of relationship with God my not remain as it originally was. This is something we are to remain aware of forever.
11. The matter was very distressing to Abraham on account of his son. 12 But God said to Abraham, "Do not be distressed because of the boy and because of your slave woman; whatever Sarah says to you, do as she tells you, for it is through Isaac that offspring shall be named for you. 13 As for the son of the slave woman, I will make a nation of him also, because he is your offspring."
(Genesis chapter 21 verses 11 to 13)
On reflecting on verses 11 to 13 it is very interesting how God bids Abraham to listen to his wife and obey her in her wishes during such moments of stress. God wants us to seek His support but He also wants us to find the support of each other especially in marriage. God is the agent that keeps the bond of marriage secure therefore we are to refer to God as a couple every day of our lives especially during times of trouble and tribulation. As for God He keeps working in the background of the situation taking control of those factors that are beyond our control.
14. So Abraham rose early in the morning, and took bread and a skin of water, and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, along with the child, and sent her away. And she departed, and wandered about in the wilderness of Beer-sheba.
(Genesis chapter 21 verse 14)
Verse fourteen poses a bit if a problem for us to comprehend. For some reason, the biblical author portrays, the son of the slave as being younger than that previously referred to. Ishmael is in fact older than Isaac and would be very heavy to carry on her shoulder.
Every day God gently puts the cross on our shoulder, to carry. Moreover along with the cross God gives us the much needed nourishment that is Himself in the Holy Eucharist to keep us going moreover He gives us his Holy Word that is also a source of nourishment for us.
Hagar headed for the wilderness. Our wilderness can be that situation in which we feel alone and without the much needed support. However the lonelier we may feel, the more God is close by to protect us from incurring spiritual or physical harm that is detrimental to our soul.
15. When the water in the skin was gone, she cast the child under one of the bushes. 16 Then she went and sat down opposite him a good way off, about the distance of a bowshot; for she said, "Do not let me look on the death of the child." And as she sat opposite him, she lifted up her voice and wept.
(Genesis chapter 21 verses 15 and 16)
Generally like Hagar when our resources are depleted we tend to turn on God in desperation and cry out our hearts to Him. She could bear the sight of experiencing the death of her son. On reflecting we cannot bear the death of the body, but how about the death or loss of our spiritual side that is our soul? Would we share the same feelings if we lost our faith in God? This is an issue that we are to stop and reflect on. Is our faith dear to us, or can we do without God in our lives? Is going to mass a routine procedure or do we crave to meet God and have communion with Him?
17. And God heard the voice of the boy; and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, and said to her, "What troubles you, Hagar? Do not be afraid; for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. 18. Come, lift up the boy and hold him fast with your hand, for I will make a great nation of him."
(Genesis chapter 21 verses 17 to 18)
God immediately intervenes in our times of trouble. Although He is fully aware of our tribulations He stills prompts us to focus on the root of our problem instead of on external issues related to the problem. Although at the time in question we may not have the answer to that question God still lends us a hand in the situation, either directly or indirectly by providing the necessary material sources or human resources. None of our prayers ever go to waste. God has one big ear that misses nothing both our blessings and even our curses.
19. Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. She went, and filled the skin with water, and gave the boy a drink.
(Genesis chapter 21 verse 19)
Although God may not always instantly intervene by providing the necessary resources, He may opt for removing the clouds from our mind in order for us to be able to perceive the necessary solutions. The solution or well of water, may have always been there however, due to our sorrow, we were not in a state to see it. Moreover when being in a state of wilderness and desolation our relationship with God of grace is the only reasonable solution. I pray that we all drink of the grace of God and make a new experience of Him.
20. God was with the boy, and he grew up; he lived in the wilderness, and he became an expert with the bow. 21 He lived in the wilderness of Paran; and his mother got a wife for him from the land of Egypt.
(Genesis chapter 21 verses 20 to 21)
At times we can also be living in our wilderness. This is a period of solitude in our lives, when God can speak to us and show us things about our selves and lives, that were not possible to be perceived during our everyday life. While in his care God gives us the necessary skills and needs in order to live our daily lives. God gave Ishmael skills of the bow in order to survive and even a wife from which his promised ancestors would descend.
While in a period of desolation it is common for us to return to our roots which serve as our security. At times these security systems may consist of family and friends among others. In Hagar's case she went home to Egypt and found her son a wife of her line of descent.
22. At that time Abimelech, with Phicol the commander of his army, said to Abraham, "God is with you in all that you do; 23 now therefore swear to me here by God that you will not deal falsely with me or with my offspring or with my posterity, but as I have dealt loyally with you, you will deal with me and with the land where you have resided as an alien." 24 And Abraham said, " I swear it."
(Genesis chapter 21 verses 22 to 24)
According to Abimelech, Abraham had grown successful in all his transactions and grew in power and prestige. Moreover this worried the king and instilled fear in him that one day Abraham would overthrow him. Therefore the king, sought to seek peace and friendship with Abraham and made a pact to bind them together in peace forever.
At times we may also choose to be friends with God or the Devil simply because we fear them or because we perceive that one day we can use them or their services for our material good or security as in the case of Abraham. When accepting such commitments we are to analyze or agendas or reasons for accepting such a relationship. If our reasons are not genuine we had better think again or terminate the whole affair.
25. When Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well of water that Abimelech's servants had seized, 26 Abimelech said, " I do not know who has done this; you did not tell me, and I have not heard of it until today."
(Genesis chapter 21 verses 25 to 26)
In order to confirm if a friend is truly a friend, or whether he or she is using us as protection or for his or her advantage, we are to analyze the friend's actions. On having pledged peace between them Abimelech gave Abraham the cold shoulder in relation to an issue of utter importance and did not give Abraham the much needed support and justice. Abimelech wanted only to take advantage of the pact between Abraham and himself, but on the other hand did not want to contribute to it.
27. So Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelech, and the two men made a covenant. 28 Abraham set apart seven ewe lambs of the flock. 29 And Abimelech said to Abraham, "What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs that you have set apart?"30 He said, "These seven ewe lambs you shall accept from my hand, in order that you may be a witness for me that I dug this well."
(Genesis chapter 21 verses 27 to 30)
As in the case of Abraham we are to set the example and offer to be the peacemakers, that is after having consulted God's will in prayer and or, with our spiritual director that is important for one to have and then and only then we make the decision to sustain the friendship. On discerning the will of God He may show us that it is not His will for us to engage in such a relationship at all, thus in such circumstances, we would need to obey the will of God instead that of our own.
31. Therefore that place was called Beer-sheba; because there both of them swore an oath.
(Genesis chapter 21 verse 31)
On reflecting we all have a place were we made an oath with God this took place at the time of our baptism and confirmation and these places we are to consider as being special especially when considering the connotations associated with them.
32. When they had made a covenant at Beer-sheba, Abimelech, with Phicol the commander of his army, left and returned to the land of the Philistines. 33. Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beer-sheba, and called there on the name of the LORD, the Everlasting God. 34 And Abraham resided as an alien many days in the land of the Philistines.
(Genesis chapter 21 verses 32 to 34)
When we make a promise to God this is a very important thing. In order to remember this occasion such as marriage we perform certain activities such as a wedding in order to express our feelings and value of such an act. In the case of people who do not share the same value, as in the case of Abimelech and Phicol, they simply left that location as if nothing had happened. On the other hand, Abraham chose to remember that day by planting the tamarisk tree that he dedicated to God.
I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer:
Thank you God for making possible, the seemingly impossible to be done. I thank you for curing me of a chronic condition that is irritable bowel syndrome which is medically held to be a disease that once incurred is there for life. None of the doctors that I saw believed in the existence of any remedy that would bring total remission of the painful symptoms, but you succeeded in healing me. I have no other words but thank you to say to you my father. I pray and intercede in the name of many others that if it is your will you will also give them complete healing. However Oh God although physical healing is important, spiritual and psychological healing are also important, and in this respect, I also thank you for your healing.
Thank You God
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