FULFILMENT OF GOD’S PROMISE
Text: Genesis 21
1 November 2011
(I) FULFILMENT OF GOD’S PROMISE
1. As He had spoken (Genesis 21:1a)
2. At the set time of which God had spoken to him (Genesis 21:2)
3. Sarah conceived and bore a son who was named Isaac (Genesis 21:3)
4. Isaac was circumcised on the 8th day (Genesis 21:4)
5. Great joy for centenarian Abraham and his household (Genesis 21:5-8)
(II) WEANING CELEBRATION
1. Isaac was weaned from breast-feeding (Genesis 21:8)
2. Ishmael scoffed at Isaac (Genesis 21:9)
3. Conflict between Sarah and Abraham
a) Sarah demands that Hagar and Ishmael be cast out (Genesis 21:10)
b) Abraham was unwilling to comply (Genesis 21:11)
(III) GOD’S GUIDANCE
1. Hagar and Ishmael will no longer dwell with Abraham
But Ishmael will still become a nation because he was Abraham’s seed (Genesis 21:13)
2. Sarah and Isaac
In Isaac will Abraham’s seed be called (Genesis 21:12)
(IV) HAGAR AND ISHMAEL SENT AWAY
1. Hagar and Ishmael went away with but basic provision (Genesis 21:14)
2. Wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba (Genesis 21:14-15)
3. Two cries for Divine help
a) Hagar (Genesis 21:16)
b) Ishmael (Genesis 21:17)
(V) GOD’S PROVISION
1. Hagar found a well (Genesis 21:19)
2. Ishmael recovered (Genesis 21:19)
3. God protected Ishmael (Genesis 21:20-21)
(VI) A PARITY COVENANT
1. Abimelech and Abraham
(Abimelech was a Philistine)
2. Parity covenant struck between the two men
3. Terms of the Covenant
a) To be confirmed with a solemn oath (Genesis 21:23a)
b) No false dealings (Genesis 21:23b)
c) This covenant would also affect posterity (Genesis 21:23c)
d) Kind regard for each other (Genesis 21:23d)
4. A breach of the Covenant
a) Abimelech’s servants seized a well dug by Abraham (Genesis 21:25)
b) Abimelech claimed ignorance (Genesis 21:26)
c) Abraham gave Abimelech a gift of 7 ewes as a good will gesture and as a witness that the disputed well was dug by Abraham’s men (Genesis 21:27-30)
d) Abimelech accepted this token and the covenant was ratified (Genesis 21:31-32)
5. Calling on the Name of the Lord
a) Planting of a commemorative tamarisk tree (Genesis 21:33a)
b) Calling on the Lord (Genesis 21:33b)
6. Dwelling in the land of the Philistines (Genesis 21:34)