Genesis 21

Grace Received, Grace Displayed

Genesis 21 opens with the fulfilment of a promise - Isaac is born. The promised heir of the covenant has arrived, the one in whom God's covenantal blessing will extend to the families of the world. In chapter 16 Abraham had tried to bring God's timetable forward by 'arranging' the birth of a son with Hagar. But that had brought him no joy. Instead he has to wait on God's time, which comes eventually with the birth of Isaac. Immediately the sign of God's covenant was put upon Isaac - his flesh was cut as a sign that he was a special child, heir to the privileges of God's grace. It is interesting that the Hebrew construction for the making of a covenant means literally to 'cut' a covenant. Circumcision required cutting the flesh and shedding blood. It was eloquent testimony to the objective promises of God's covenantal relationship with Abraham.

Although (or perhaps because) Abraham had now been given the promised son, two other strands of the story need to be concluded. What was to happen to Ishmael, who was also Abraham's seed? Was he to forfeit all blessings? And what of Abimelech, whom Abraham had deceived in the previous chapter? Both these stories are wound up in this chapter. And both these stories demonstrate the genuine breadth of grace that Abraham found in the covenant God made with him, and which he was willing to show others.

You see, it is a fundamental principle of kingdom life that those who receive much, give much. Christ taught us to pray 'Forgive our debts, as we forgive....'. He warned about receiving mercy but not showing it, about experiencing the grace of God but not demonstrating it. If we have genuinely experienced the blessing of God's salvation, we will not grudge kindness to others. Abraham's example is a beautiful one, which we would do well to follow.

Abraham and Ishmael

Sarah wished to throw Hagar out. Paul makes an allegory of this in Galatians 3, taking Ishmael as an illustration of a works based, legalistic religion, and Isaac as an illustration of God's religion by grace alone. Paul argues that we must throw out a salvation based on our deeds and our works, and lean on the freedom that God has provided in Christ.

The allegorical use of this passage in the New Testament, however, ought not to detract from the human element of the story. This is Sarah's revenge - she can be rid of Hagar. Abraham concedes, but is grieved. God speaks to him, promising that great things will happen in and through Ishmael also. His father provides for him, and again the angel of God - the Second Person of the Trinity - ministers to her needs. The greatest blessing of all is the Immanuel principle of verse 20 - "God was with the lad".

In spite of the intrigue, the deception, the subterfuge, and the sin - grace shines through. Abraham is the means by which God's blessing, protection and presence go with Ishmael. He is the child of Abraham's rashness and self-interest, yet he enjoys the blessing of Heaven. What greater thing can we give our children?

Our world talks much of unwanted pregnancies, of abortion, of a million crimes against children. Yet at last, God is the only answer. His presence is our greatest hope, and his word our comfort. If we give God to our children, and give our children to God, then we will secure for them the greatest blessing they will ever know in life.

Abraham and Abimelech

And what of Abimelech? You will remember that he was deceived by Abraham and chastised by God. God's grace and mercy reached even Abimelech. He might justly have sworn enmity towards Abraham, but does not. Instead he shows himself more gracious than the friend of God by acknowledging God's presence with Abraham and his presence with him. The result is a request from Abimelech to Abraham that they will make a covenant the one with the other, to show mutual respect and give each other protection. This they do, and even in Isaac's day (chapter 26) the promise is honoured.

In verse 33, Abraham is left alone, at Beersheba, where he called on the name of the Everlasting God. Who knows what thoughts were going through his mind? There at Beersheba he looked up, with thanksgiving and with gratitude that the grace that brought him thus far would protect him ever afterwards, and would do him good all the days of his life.

Have we a reason to look up today, to thank the Lord for his goodness, and to call on the name of the everlasting God? I am sure each one of us can count our blessings as Abraham did, and acknowledge the goodness and the grace of the God of the covenant. For in his hands, all our yesterdays are dealt with, all our tomorrows are assured, and today? Well, for today there is just enough grace to live by.