Birth of Isaac - Genesis 21:1-34

1. An expositional study taught by Harry Morgan

2. For those of you online post your comments or questions in the “comment section” on your screen. As time affords they may be read to the class.

3. Promises given: Abram called to leave his family. Promise of seed (12:1-3) Sojourn in Egypt, “she is my sister” (12:10-20) Lot and Abram: negotiations (13) Abram rescues lot and people of Sodom (14) Abram prepares a sacrifice for a covenant ceremony: God promises descendants and the land (15) Hagar and Ishmael born (16) ABRAHAMIC COVENANT (17:1-22) Abraham and Ishmael circumcised (17:23-27) Abraham prepares a meal: God promises that Sarah will give birth to Isaac (18:1-15) God and Abraham: negotiations (18:16-33) Angels rescue lot and destroy Sodom (19) Sojourn in Gerar, “she is my sister” (20) Promises fulfilled: Isaac born; Hagar & Ishmael sent out (21) Abraham offered Isaac (22)

4. 1. How would you outline Genesis 21? A Time to Laugh (1–8) A Time to Mourn (9–14) A Time to Heal (15–34) Briscoe, D. S., & Ogilvie, L. J. (1987). Genesis (Vol. 1, p. 175). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.

5. 1. How would you outline Genesis 21? Birth & exultation over Isaac (1–7) Naming and circumcision Laughter in old age Banquet celebration & provision for Isaac (8–13) Ishmael mocks the child Sarah demands expulsion God reassures a future for both sons Expulsion & deliverance of Hagar & Ishmael (14–19) Abraham expels them to the desert God delivers the boy in the desert Desert life & marriage of Ishmael (20–21) Mathews, K. A. (2005). Genesis 11:27–50:26 (Vol. 1B, pp. 264–265). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

6. 2. Why is the phrase “as He had said” (“spoken” or “promised”) repeated 3 times in verses 1 & 2? 1And the LORD visited Sarah as He had said, and and the LORD did for Sarah as He had spoken. 2 For Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.

7. 3. Verse 1 begins with the conjunction “and.” How does this verse connect with Genesis? Genesis 21:1 And the LORD visited Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah as He had spoken. Genesis 20:18 for the LORD had closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham’s wife. ָּ פ דַק (pā·qǎḏ) = visit, inspect, number, count, inventory (NIV “was gracious”) הוהי LORD רַצ ע רַצ ע יכ (ʿā·ṣǎr) = hold back, stop, restrain

8. 4. What does the word “visited” mean? (21:1; cp. Ex. 4:31; Ruth 1:6; 1 Sam. 2:21; Psa. 8:4; Lk.1:68) 1And the LORD visited (pā·qǎḏ) Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah as He had spoken. Exodus 4:31 So the people believed; and when they heard that the LORD had visited (pā·qǎḏ) the children of Israel and that He had looked on their affliction, then then they bowed their heads and worshiped. Ruth 1:6 Then she arose with her daughters-in-law that she might return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the country of Moab that the LORD had visited (pā·qǎḏ) His people by giving them bread.

9. 4. What does the word “visited” mean? (21:1; cp. Ex. 4:31; Ruth 1:6; 1 Sam. 2:21; Psa. 8:4; Lk.1:68) 1 Samuel 2:21 And the LORD visited (pā·qǎḏ) Hannah, so that she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile the child Samuel grew before the LORD. Psalm 8:4 What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit (pā·qǎḏ) him? Luke 1:68 “Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited (ἐπισκέπτομαι - episkeptomai) and redeemed His people…”

10. 5. What was the result of the LORD’s visitation? 2For Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.

11. Romans 4:17–19 17(as it is written, “I have made you (i.e. Abraham) a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; 18 who (i.e. Abraham), contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.”19And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb.

12. Romans 4:20–25 20He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. 22And therefore “it [=Abraham’s faith] was accounted to him for righteousness.”23Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, 24but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25who was delivered up because of our offenses, [i.e. Jesus died for our sins] and was raised because of our justification.

13. 6. When had the LORD previously spoken to Abraham? 15Then God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. 16And I will bless her and also give you a son by her; then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples shall be from her.” 17Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, “Shall a child be born to a man who is one hundred years old? And shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” 18And Abraham said to God, “Oh, that Ishmael might live before You!” 19Then God said: “No, Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his descendants after him.

14. 6. When had the LORD previously spoken to Abraham? 20And as for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall beget twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. 21But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this set time next year.” 22Then He finished talking with him, and God went up from Abraham.

15. 7. How old was Abraham and Sarah when Isaac was born? Genesis 17:1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless. Genesis 17:17 Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, “Shall a child be born to a man who is one hundred years old? And shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?”

16. 8. Was the timing of Isaac’s birth predetermined by God? Why is this important? 2For Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him. דֵעוֹמ (mô·ʿēḏ) place of meeting, assembly point; agreed time, appointed time

17. 9. Why did Abraham name his son “Isaac”? Genesis 21:3 And Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him—whom Sarah bore to him—Isaac. Genesis 17:19 Then God said: “No, Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his descendants after him. ק חְצִי (yiṣ·ḥāq) derived from ṣḥq = “he [i.e., child or father] laughs, smiles

18. 10. Why does Moses, the author of Genesis, mention Sarah as Isaac’s mother? Genesis 21:3 And Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him—whom Sarah bore to him—Isaac. The redundancy “bore to him” reinforces the significance of the birth mother. Sarah’s laughter (18:13–15) and now their son Laughter was coming. Hughes, R. K. (2004). Genesis: beginning and blessing (p. 293). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

19. 11. List as many comparisons as you can think of between the births of Isaac and Ishmael?

20. Abraham’s Son Isaac Genesis 21:3–5 And Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him—whom Sarah bore to him—Isaac. 4Then Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him. 5Now Abraham was one hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.

21. Genesis 16:15 So Hagar bore Abram a son; and Abram called the name of his son, whom Hagar bore, Ishmael. Genesis 21:2-3 So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age… 3Abraham called the name of his son, who was born to him, whom Sarah bore to him, Isaac.

22. Genesis 21:14 But God said to Abraham, “Do not let it be displeasing in your sight because of the lad or because of your bondwoman. Whatever Sarah has said to you, listen to her voice; for in Isaac your seed shall be called. Genesis 22:2 Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”

23. Genesis 21:14 So Abraham rose early in the morning… Genesis 21:14 …and took bread and a skin of water; and putting it on her shoulder, he gave it and the boy to Hagar, and sent her away. Then she departed and wandered in the Wilderness of Beersheba. Genesis 22:3 So Abraham rose early in the morning… Genesis 22:6 Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand…

24. Genesis 21:16 Then she went and sat down across from him at a distance of about a bowshot… Genesis 22:3 Then on the third day Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place afar off. Genesis 21:17 Genesis 22:11 …Then the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven… But the Angel of the LORD called to him from heaven…

25. Genesis 21:19 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. Genesis 22:13 Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. Genesis 22:18 “In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” Genesis 21:18 “Arise, lift up the lad and hold him with your hand, for I will make him a great nation.”

26. Genesis 21:21 He dwelt in the Wilderness of Paran; and his mother took a wife for him from the land of Egypt. Genesis 24:4 “…you (Abraham’s oldest servant) shall go to my country and to my family, and take a wife for my son Isaac.”

27. 12. List as many comparisons as you can think of between the births of Isaac and Christ? 1) Isaac and Jesus were both the promised seed and son. 2) There was a period of delay between the promises and their fulfillment. 3) Both Sarah and Mary questioned the possibility of their conceptions. 4) Names were chosen by God and are symbolic. 5) Births occurred at God’s appointed time. 6) Both births were miraculous. 7) Both births brought great joy.

28. 13. How did the circumcision of Isaac differ from that of Ishmael? Why is this significant? Genesis 21:4 Then Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him. Genesis 17:25 And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

29. 14. How did Sarah respond to the birth of Isaac? 6And Sarah said, “God has made me laugh, and all who hear will laugh with me.” 7She also said, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? For I have borne him a son in his old age.”

30. 15. At what age was a child typically weaned? 2 Maccabees 7:27 But she bowing herself toward him, laughing the cruel tyrant to scorn, spoke in her country language on this manner; O my son, have pity upon me that bare thee nine months in my womb, and gave thee such three years, and nourished thee, and brought thee up unto this age, and endured the troubles of education.

31. 16. How old was Ishmael when Isaac was weaned? • Abraham was 100 when Isaac was born (5) • Isaac may have been weaned as old as 3 years • Abraham would be between 100 and 103 • Abraham was 86 when Ishmael was born (16:16) • Ishmael would be between 14 &17 years old

32. 17. What did Sarah observe in Genesis 21:9 that made her furious? Genesis 21:9 And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, scoffing. ק חַצ ְ מ (mesahāq) = mocking, a play on the word “Isaac” “scoffing” –

33. 18. What did Sarah want Abraham to do about what she observed? 10Therefore she said to Abraham, “Cast out this bondwoman and her son; for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, namely with Isaac.” שׁ ַ ר ג (gā·rǎš) = drive out, banish (Gen. 3:24; 4:14; 21:10; Ex. 2:17)

34. Lipit-Ishtar 19th century BC “If a man married a wife and she bore him children and those children are living, and a slave also bore children for her master but the father granted freedom to the slave and her children, the children of the slave shall not divide the estate with the children of their former master.” Article 25

35. Hammurabi (1728-1686) “When a lord’s first wife bore him children and his female slave also bore him children, if the father during his lifetime has ever said ‘My children!’ to the children whom the slave bore him, thus having counted them with the children of the first wife, after the father has gone to his fate, the children of the first wife and the children of the slave shall share equally in the goods of the paternal estate, with the first-born, the son of the first wife, receiving a preferential share.” Articles 170-71

36. Galatians 4:21–23 Historical Facts 21Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law? 22For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. 23But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise, 2 Sons 1 son = “the flesh” – “bond” 1 son = “the promise” – “free”

37. Galatians 4:24–25 Allegory of the two Covenants 24which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar—25for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children— • Ishmael’s mother (Hagar) = Mt. Sinai • Earthly location = Jerusalem • Current state = bondage • Those in bondage with “her children” = Jews)

38. Galatians 4:26–27 Allegorical Application 26but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all. 27For it is written: “Rejoice, O barren, You who do not bear! Break forth and shout, You who are not in labor! For the desolate has many more children than she who has a husband.” • The mother “of us all” = Sarah • The Heavenly focus = Jerusalem • Future state = freedom • Those who are free are “us all” = believers

39. Galatians 4:28–31 28Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise. 29But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now. 30Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.” 31So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free. • (28) Like Isaac, we are children of promise, not born of the flesh, but saved by God’s grace • (29) Persecution emanates from those trying to procure salvation by works • (30) We must separate ourselves from this teaching of bondage, for we are free, not under bondage.

40. 19. Why was Sarah’s request of Abraham “very displeasing” to him? 11And the matter was very displeasing in Abraham’s sight because of his son. עַע ר (rā·ʿǎʿ) = be bad, be evil; be distressed, be disturbed, be miserable, i.e., have a feeling or attitude of anxiety or distress; suffer harm

41. 20. What changed Abraham’s mind about Sarah’s request? 12But God said to Abraham, “Do not let it be displeasing in your sight because of the lad or because of your bondwoman. Whatever Sarah has said to you, listen to her voice; for in Isaac your seed shall be called. Romans 9:7 nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, “In Isaac your seed shall be called.” Hebrews 11:18 of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,”

42. 21. What promise did God make to Abraham regarding Ishmael? 13Yet I will also make a nation of the son of the bondwoman, because he is your seed.”

43. 22. As you read verse 14, put yourself in Abraham’s shoes. How do you feel? 14So Abraham rose early in the morning, and took bread and a skin of water; and putting it on her shoulder, he gave it and the boy to Hagar, and sent her away.

44. 23. Where did Hagar and Ishmael go? 14Then she departed and wandered in the Wilderness of Beersheba. bĕʾēr = “well”

45. 24. What is “a skin of water”? 15And the water in the skin was used up, and she placed the boy under one of the shrubs.

46. 25. Why did Hagar place Ishmael “under one of the shrubs”? 16Then she went and sat down across from him at a distance of about a bowshot; for she said to herself, “Let me not see the death of the boy.” So she sat opposite him, and lifted her voice and wept.

47. 26. What is the distance of a “bowshot”? 16Then she went and sat down across from him at a distance of about a bowshot; for she said to herself, “Let me not see the death of the boy.” So she sat opposite him, and lifted her voice and wept. A bowshot is as somewhat shorter than the length of a football field. The Guinness Book of Records 1994 reports a distance record of 6141 feet 2 inches for a bolt shot from a crossbow, but that is not a bowshot.

48. 27. What did Hagar do when her provisions were exhausted? 16Then she went and sat down across from him at a distance of about a bowshot; for she said to herself, “Let me not see the death of the boy.” So she sat opposite him, and lifted her voice and wept.

49. 28. Who did God hear? Why? 17And 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. Genesis 16:7 Now the Angel of the LORD found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, by the spring on the way to Shur.