Genesis 21: A Divine Tale of Faith and Promise

Have you ever pondered what it would be like if an impossible promise was suddenly fulfilled in your life? Consider the story of Sarah and Abraham, a tale of faith, promise, and unexpected joy, from the book of Genesis, chapter 21. In this tale, we find the divine visiting Sarah, just as promised, and she conceives a child. Yes, Sarah, well beyond her childbearing years, becomes a mother to a baby boy. This child, born in Abraham's old age, is named Isaac, a moniker chosen by Abraham himself. Eight days after his birth, Isaac is circumcised, following the divine commandment given to Abraham, and at the age of 100, Abraham becomes a father to Isaac, a testament to the fulfillment of a divine promise. Sarah, overjoyed, proclaims that the son. Who would have thought that Sarah at her age would nurse a child? Yet she does, a son born to her and Abraham in their old age. As Isaac grows and is weaned, Abraham celebrates with a grand feast. However, tension arises when Sarah spots Ishmael, the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom Sarah had previously given to Abraham, mocking Isaac. Sarah insists that Hagar and her son must leave, for Ishmael will not share the inheritance with Isaac. This request deeply distresses Abraham. Yet the divine advises Abraham not to be distressed. He is told to listen to Sarah, for through Isaac his lineage will be called. The divine also assures Abraham that Ishmael too will father a great nation, given he is Abraham's offspring. Abraham, obedient, sends Hagar and Ishmael away with bread and a bottle of water. They wander in the wilderness of Beersheba until their water runs out. Hagar, despairing, leaves Ishmael under a shrub and distances herself, unable to bear the sight of her child perishing. But the divine hears the cries of the boy. An angel calls out to Hagar, comforting her and promising that Ishmael will become a great nation. Miraculously, Hagar's eyes are opened and she sees a well. She fills her bottle and gives her son a drink. The divine remains with Ishmael as he grows into an archer and dwells in the wilderness of Paran. Hagar finds him a wife from her homeland Egypt. Meanwhile, Abraham is approached by Abimelech and Fakol, the commander of his army. They acknowledge the divine's favor on Abraham and request his oath that he will not deal falsely with them or their descendants. Abraham agrees, but reproves Abimelech over a well that his servants have seized. Unaware of this, Abimelech promises to address the issue. They then make a covenant and Abraham gifts Abimelech sheep and oxen.