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¹ And the Lord visited Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did unto Sarah as he had spoken.
² For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.
³ And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac.
⁴ And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old, as God had commanded him.
⁵ And Abraham was an hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him.
⁶ And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me.
⁷ And she said, Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have given children suck? for I have born him a son in his old age.
⁸ And the child grew, and was weaned: and Abraham made a great feast the same day that Isaac was weaned.
⁹ And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking.
¹⁰ Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac.
¹¹ And the thing was very grievous in Abraham’s sight because of his son.
¹² And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.
¹³ And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed.
¹⁴ And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.
¹⁵ And the water was spent in the bottle, and she cast the child under one of the shrubs.
¹⁶ And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept.
¹⁷ And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is.
¹⁸ Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation.
¹⁹ And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink.
²⁰ And God was with the lad; and he grew, and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer.
²¹ And he dwelt in the wilderness of Paran: and his mother took him a wife out of the land of Egypt.
²² And it came to pass at that time, that Abimelech and Phichol the chief captain of his host spake unto Abraham, saying, God is with thee in all that thou doest:
²³ Now therefore swear unto me here by God that thou wilt not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son’s son: but according to the kindness that I have done unto thee, thou shalt do unto me, and to the land wherein thou hast sojourned.
²⁴ And Abraham said, I will swear.
²⁵ And Abraham reproved Abimelech because of a well of water, which Abimelech’s servants had violently taken away.
²⁶ And Abimelech said, I wot not who hath done this thing: neither didst thou tell me, neither yet heard I of it, but to day.
²⁷ And Abraham took sheep and oxen, and gave them unto Abimelech; and both of them made a covenant.
²⁸ And Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves.
²⁹ And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What mean these seven ewe lambs which thou hast set by themselves?
³⁰ And he said, For these seven ewe lambs shalt thou take of my hand, that they may be a witness unto me, that I have digged this well.
³¹ Wherefore he called that place Beersheba; because there they sware both of them.
³² Thus they made a covenant at Beersheba: then Abimelech rose up, and Phichol the chief captain of his host, and they returned into the land of the Philistines.
³³ And Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the Lord, the everlasting God.
³⁴ And Abraham sojourned in the Philistines’ land many days.
✨The Faithfulness of God and the Laughter of New Life✨
“And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken.” – Genesis 21:1
Genesis Chapter 21 is a triumphant moment in the journey of Abraham and Sarah. After years of waiting, wondering, and walking by faith, the long-promised son is finally born. Isaac—whose name means “laughter”—represents joy, fulfillment, and the power of God’s promises fulfilled in His perfect timing. This chapter isn’t just about a birth; it’s about the unshakable faithfulness of God, the reality of His covenant, and the separation between the children of promise and the children of the flesh.
This chapter is also deeply prophetic. Isaac’s birth points forward to the miraculous birth of Christ, both bringing joy into the world through divine intervention. The contrast between Isaac and Ishmael shows the spiritual tension between promise and performance, law and grace. In this moment, we see the shaping of the chosen nation and God’s sovereign hand guiding every detail.
📜 Structure of Genesis Chapter 21
Verses 1–7: The Birth of Isaac
God keeps His word. Sarah conceives and gives birth to Isaac in her old age, just as God had promised. Abraham is 100 years old. Sarah laughs—not in disbelief this time—but in joy. “God hath made me to laugh,” she says, and all who hear will laugh with her (v.6). Isaac becomes a symbol of the miraculous joy that faith brings.
Verses 8–14: The Casting Out of Hagar and Ishmael
At Isaac’s weaning feast, Sarah sees Ishmael mocking. She demands that Abraham send Hagar and Ishmael away. Though grieved, Abraham obeys God’s command—because Isaac, not Ishmael, is the child through whom the covenant would be fulfilled. Paul later refers to this in Galatians 4 as an allegory of law versus grace.
Verses 15–21: God’s Provision for Hagar and Ishmael
Though cast out, Hagar and her son are not forgotten by God. When they are in despair in the wilderness, God hears the boy’s cry and sends an angel with provision and a promise: Ishmael will become a great nation. Even outside the covenant line, God remains merciful and caring.
Verses 22–34: Abraham’s Covenant with Abimelech
Abimelech, recognizing that God is with Abraham, makes a covenant of peace with him. Abraham secures a well in Beersheba and plants a grove there, calling on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God. This moment shows Abraham’s growing influence, respect, and relationship with the nations around him.
💡 Key Themes
✨ God Keeps His Promises
No matter how long the wait, God never forgets His Word. Isaac’s birth is a clear reminder that “He which hath promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23).
✨ Joy Comes After Trials
Sarah’s journey was filled with sorrow and delay, but in the end, God turned her mourning into laughter. “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning” (Psalm 30:5).
✨ The Distinction Between Flesh and Promise
Ishmael was born of the flesh, but Isaac was born of promise. This theme echoes into the New Testament, reminding us that the children of God are born not of the flesh, but of the Spirit.
👤 Key People
- Isaac – The promised child, a symbol of laughter, joy, and miraculous life.
- Sarah – A woman of faith who sees God’s promise come to pass.
- Hagar and Ishmael – Cast out, but not abandoned. Their story shows that God sees and provides.
- Abimelech – A witness to God’s power in Abraham’s life, seeking peace with the man of God.
🔥 Why This Chapter Matters
Genesis 21 marks a major turning point—not just in Abraham’s life, but in redemptive history. The arrival of Isaac confirms that nothing is too hard for the Lord. It also introduces the pattern of separation between those who are born of the flesh and those who are born of the Spirit. As believers, we are reminded to trust God’s timing, rest in His promises, and rejoice in the joy that only He can bring.
💭 Let’s Reflect
- Have you been waiting on a promise from God? Are you walking by faith even when the fulfillment seems delayed? Remember: God’s timing is perfect. Like Sarah, your laughter will come.
❓Ready to Go Deeper?
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