Genesis 21

Nursing a cold.  But in my half hazy mind, I saw the title in my reading – Issac is born!

Hallelujah!  Finally, after all the drama…Or so we would think.

What followed after this extremely happy occasion was even more melodramatic.

From 21:8-14, we see that Sarah demanded that Ishmael be cast out with Hagar (his mother) as he was seen scoffing at Issac (some translations said that Ishmael was poking fun at the child).  Abraham, under God’s instruction, sent both mother and son away into the wilderness.

One would think, after all these waiting, trials, things would look rosier for the Abraham household.

This is the reality of life, our choices brings consequences, God’s intervention may or may not necessary negate the effects of such.

For Abraham, the fact he listened to his wife (and not God) first time, produced a son with Hagar, that would be his cross to bear for the rest of this life, and the generations to come.

For Sarah, the constant nagging feeling of insecurity and unhappiness over Ishmael and Hagar tinted the joys of receiving God’s blessings.

I will not explain the rationale of the Lord’s instructions to Abraham in letting go Hagar and ishmael, which seemed heartless.  However, in the grand scheme of things, God had them covered nevertheless in honor of His friend, Abraham.

¹⁷ And God heard the voice of the lad. Then the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said to her, “What ails you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is. ¹⁸ Arise, lift up the lad and hold him with your hand, for I will make him a great nation.”

¹⁹ Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. And she went and filled the skin with water, and gave the lad a drink. ²⁰ So God was with the lad; and he grew and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer.

God protects the fatherless, and cause them to grow and flourish even when all odds are against them.

We also see that Abraham’s obedience was tested both ways, but because he listened to God, he was able to avert a potential outbreak of conflict in his household.

I guess I can take home one lesson – listen to God no matter what, and learn to let go when all else fails.

God will honor our faith, and take care of that which is beyond our control.

Lilian