Genesis 21
Nothing can stop God from fulfilling His promises made to His people. In Genesis 17 & 18, He made a promise to give a son to Abraham and Sarah called Isaac. In this chapter, God starts the process of giving Abraham many descendants. He gave only one but He will grow in number to fulfill the promise of God. Job 8:7 said, “Though your beginning was small, yet your latter end would increase abundantly”. His promises are unfailing.
What can we learn from this chapter?
#1. God can make the impossible possible. (Genesis 21:1-7)
The first lesson we can learn from Genesis 21 is that God can make a barren woman for many years and well advanced in age to give birth to a child. He promised Abraham that out of him and Sarah shall come a child who will be the seed of the promise and He fulfilled it. Even Abraham and Sarah laughed at the intention of God to do something like that but it did not hinder God from doing what He wanted to do. Our doubts do not limit God’s ability but it only limits what He will do for us. There is absolutely nothing that can stop God from bringing His declaration to pass.
#2. God’s ways are not our ways. (Genesis 21:8-21)
The second lesson we can take away from this chapter is that God sees things differently from the way we see things. He chose Isaac over Ishmael, He agreed with Sarah over Abraham, He promised to make Ishmael also a great nation and He protected and provided for Ishmael and the mother. Indeed, His ways are not our ways. Sometimes He seems to be directly opposite our thinking and mindset. God declared in Isaiah 55:8 that, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.” We must align our ways to His if we want to walk with Him.
#3. God is seen in our lives when we honour Him. (Genesis 21:22-34)
The believer’s claim of God’s presence in their lives can be visible for even unbelievers to see. In this section, Abimelech said that he recognises the hand of God in Abraham’s life and therefore cut a covenant of peace with him not to harm his land or descendants. Abraham honoured God again by calling on Him obviously because of the favour he enjoyed before the king of the Philistines. God’s covenant with us can be seen in our daily lives and the relationships we have with other people. Whatever we do tunishes the name of God or honours His holy name in our lives. Abraham is a good testimony of a servant of the Lord whose life reflected God’s presence in him.
God’s promise of being Abraham’s shield and exceedingly great reward is clearly demonstrated in this chapter. He gave him a child in old age, He protected and provided for his son Ishmael and His caused his enemies to be at peace with him. God rewards those who diligently seek Him like Abraham.
Take Action: What are you trusting God to do for you? Hold on to it and He will do it.
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