GET RID OF THE SLAVE WOMAN AND HER SON

Passage: Genesis 21:8-21

Key verse: 12

NIV

Hagar and Ishmael Sent Away

8 The child grew and was weaned,(A) 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(B) was mocking,(C) 10 and she said to Abraham, “Get rid of that slave woman(D) and her son, for that woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac.”(E)

11 The matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son.(F) 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.(G) 13 I will make the son of the slave into a nation(H) 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.(I) 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.(J)

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.(K)

17 God heard the boy crying,(L) and the angel of God(M) called to Hagar from heaven(N) and said to her, “What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid;(O) 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.(P)”

19 Then God opened her eyes(Q) and she saw a well of water.(R) So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink.

20 God was with the boy(S) as he grew up. He lived in the desert and became an archer. 21 While he was living in the Desert of Paran,(T) his mother got a wife for him(U) from Egypt.

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Footnotes
  1. Genesis 21:12 Or seed
  2. Genesis 21:16 Hebrew; Septuagint the child
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

God Protects Hagar and Ishmael

8 And the child grew and was weaned. And Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned. 9 But Sarah (A)saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, (B)laughing.[a] 10 So she said to Abraham, (C)“Cast out this slave woman with her son, for the son of this slave woman shall not be heir with my son Isaac.” 11 And the thing was very displeasing to Abraham on account of his son. 12 But God said to Abraham, “Be not displeased because of the boy and because of your slave woman. Whatever Sarah says to you, do as she tells you, for (D)through Isaac shall your offspring be named. 13 And I will make (E)a nation of the son of the slave woman also, because he is your offspring.” 14 So Abraham rose early in the morning and took bread and a skin of water and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, along with the child, and sent her away. And she departed and wandered in the wilderness of (F)Beersheba.

15 When the water in the skin was gone, she put the child under one of the bushes. 16 Then she went and sat down opposite him a good way off, about the distance of a bowshot, for she said, “Let me not look on the death of the child.” And as she sat opposite him, she lifted up her voice and wept. 17 And God heard the voice of the boy, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What troubles you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. 18 Up! Lift up the boy, and hold him fast with your hand, for I will make him into a great nation.” 19 Then (G)God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. And she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink. 20 And God was with the boy, and he grew up. He lived in the wilderness (H)and became an expert with the bow. 21 He lived in the wilderness of Paran, and his mother took a wife for him from the land of Egypt.

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Footnotes
  1. Genesis 21:9 Possibly laughing in mockery
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Abraham's distress (8-13)

Ishmael was the fruit of Abraham's and Sarah's unbelief and impatience. His presence in Abraham's household was a threat to baby Isaac. At Isaac's weaning party, Sarah asked Abraham to get rid of the slave woman and her son. Abraham was distressed, because he loved his son. While Sarah's words came from her human feelings, God also wanted to protect Isaac, for he was the covenant bearer. God promised to take care of Ishmael--but Isaac was the child of promise, the covenant bearer through whom all nations would be blessed. Abraham obeyed God with the obedience that comes from faith. He did not put off the hard job.

2. Hagar meets the God who hears and sees (14-21)

Hagar despaired. Then she heard God's voice of promise and found that God was with her and her son. He was with her because of Abraham--and because she accepted God's love and comfort. God hears and sees.

Prayer: Lord, help me to obey you by faith and not compromise with my human feelings.

One Word: Cast out your Ishmael