Bible Chapter: Genesis 21

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    Finally.  Finally after waiting twenty five years for God to fulfill His promise, Abraham and Sarah had a son.  They named him Isaac.  Sarah rejoiced and laughed that she, in her old age, would finally have a son.  Abraham was one hundred years old.  This wasn’t his great-great grandson, it was his son.  They rejoiced at his birth.  God had a great promise for his life.
    At the same time of this rejoicing came a sad situation.  It resulted from their poor decision many years earlier.  Sarah became jealous of Hagar and Ishmael.  She insisted that Abraham send them away.  It hurt Abraham, for this was his son.  But, he agreed and sent them away.  Hagar thought that she would die in the wilderness, but God responded and provided for them.  Ishmael grew and he also became a great nation.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    This chapter has both highs and lows.  The high came because of God’s promise and provision of that promise.  Isaac was born. They rejoiced.  This teaches us to listen and wait for God to do what He has promised.  This is a good lesson - we really can trust God.
    The low point came when the impact of their really bad choice to have a son with Hagar came.  They thought they had fixed the problem God couldn’t figure out.  They had a human solution and didn’t wait for God.  The lesson is that we must do things God’s ways and don’t try to “help” him when we think He has made a mistake.

3.  How can I help someone?
    I can help people see that God really will do what He promised.  Yes, there is a battle, but God is bigger than the battle.  We don’t understand God’s timing, but we can trust it.