Genesis 21

The reading today covers the birth of Issac, through whom God's promises to Abraham are to be carried out. It is rather funny that Sarah laughed again at his birth, but this time it seems to be a laugh of happiness and joy rather than of disbelief. Unfortunately for Hagar and Ishmael, though, Sarah's dislike of them rears its head again - and they are exiled.

The later section of Genesis 21 describes what seems to be a territory dispute between Abraham and the people in whose land he and his family were staying, and then a treaty between them. It shows once more that Abraham likes being a peacemaker, I think, and it explains the name of one of the locations that will be mentioned again later in the Bible (Beersheba). Beyond that, though, I am unaware of any significance to this event.

Genesis 16

Ah, the account of Ishmael - ancestor to the Islamic peoples. This whole incident is rather unfortunate, as it caused strife in Abram's household that has haunted the world even to this day. The pronouncement that Ishmael's "hand will be against everyone, And everyone's hand will be against him" (NAS) is a foreshadowing of, and explanation for, the events we have dealt with even in the last few years. I'm sure that subject could have a whole blog - or many! - dedicated to it, but I think I'll just leave it there.

One interesting side note about this incident is that Sarai was the person who came up with the idea for Abram to sleep with her maidservant, but then as soon as it goes south (and come on, who couldn't see that coming?) she blames Abram. This sounds an awful lot like Adam and Eve, where they both try to shift blame right away. I suppose that is human (sinful) nature, huh?

This chapter in:
New America Standard, New King James, New International