An heir AND a spare!
June 25, 2017
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Genesis 21: 8-21
Hagar and Ishmael Sent Away
8 The child grew and was weaned, and on the day Isaac was weaned Abraham held a great feast. 9 But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking, 10 and she said to Abraham, “Get rid of that slave woman and her son, for that woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac.”
11 The matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son. 12 But God said to him, “Do not be so distressed about the boy and your slave woman. Listen to whatever Sarah tells you, because it is through Isaac that your offspring[a]will be reckoned. 13 I will make the son of the slave into a nation also, because he is your offspring.”
14 Early the next morning Abraham took some food and a skin of water and gave them to Hagar. He set them on her shoulders and then sent her off with the boy. She went on her way and wandered in the Desert of Beersheba.
15 When the water in the skin was gone, she put the boy under one of the bushes.16 Then she went off and sat down about a bowshot away, for she thought, “I cannot watch the boy die.” And as she sat there, she[b] began to sob.
17 God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heavenand said to her, “What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. 18 Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation.”
19 Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink.
20 God was with the boy as he grew up. He lived in the desert and became an archer. 21 While he was living in the Desert of Paran, his mother got a wife for himfrom Egypt.
“God heard the boy crying…” (v17)
“Lift the boy up and take him by the hand…” (v18)
“God was with the boy as he grew up.” (v20)
With God, nothing is ever wasted.
The LORD embraced even the “spare heir” of Abraham.
Ishmael is heard and helped, not thrown away.
God provides water for the boy and his mother.
And, He gives the lad so much more – His holy presence.
Prayer
Abraham was distressed. Hagar was sobbing. Ishmael was crying.
Jesus wept.
Men, women and children still get upset today.
Jesus wept.
Relationships are rarely straightforward. The world is so complicated.
Jesus wept.
Thank You, LORD, that You do not stand far off from us.
In Christ, You have come very close; so near, You catch our tears.
And so, just as you heard Abraham, Hagar and Ishmael, hear my plea for help. Amen.
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