GENESIS CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE OVERVIEW
Overall what is happening in this chapter is that Isaac the promised child is born which causes strife between Hagar and Sarah.
Thomas Coke (1801) – Genesis 21
Isaac is born, is circumcised and weaned. At Sarah's request Hagar is driven out; to whom, wandering in the wilderness, an angel promises that Ishmael shall be the father of a numerous posterity. Abraham and Abimelech make a covenant.
Matthew Henry (1714) – Genesis 21
In this chapter we have:
I. Isaac, the child of promise born into Abraham's family (Genesis 21:1-8).
II. Ishmael, the son of the bondwoman, cast out of it (Genesis 21:9-21).
III. Abraham's league with his neighbor Abimelech (Genesis 21:22-32).
IV. Abraham’s devotion to his God (Genesis 21:33).
KEY SERMON IDEA
Three Things About God’s Promises
1. God’s Promises Always Come By Grace
2. God’s Promises Always Come On Time
3. God’s Promises Always Come With Joy
KEY VERSE
Genesis 21:2 Sarah conceived, and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.
KEY EVENT
The birth of Isaac.
KEY THOUGHT
God always keeps His word and many times does it in a way that is beyond our understanding.
KEY CROSSREFERENCE
Hebrews 11:11-12 “By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised. Therefore there was born even of one man, and him as good as dead at that, as many descendants AS THE STARS OF HEAVEN IN NUMBER, AND INNUMERABLE AS THE SAND WHICH IS BY THE SEASHORE.”
KEY INSIGHT
It was quite normal for toddlers in the ancient Near East not to be weaned before they were two or three years old.
KEY QUOTE
“No word of God shall fall to the ground; for he is faithful that has promised, and God’s faithfulness is the stay and support of his people’s faith…. God is always punctual to his time; though his promised mercies come not at the time we set, they will certainly come at the time he sets, and that is the best time.” - Matthew Henry
