Genesis:21

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* Verse 1-8 - Few under the Old Testament were brought into the world with such expectations as Isaac . He was in this a type of Christ , that Seed which the holy God so long promised , and holy men so long expected . He was born according to the promise , at the set time of which God had spoken . God 's promised mercies will certainly come at the time which He sets , and that is the best time . Isaac means "laughter ," and there was good reason for the name , ch . strkjv @17:17 . strkjv @18:13 . When the Sun of comfort is risen upon the soul , it is good to remember how welcome the dawning of the day was . When Sarah received the promise , she laughed with distrust and doubt . When God gives us the mercies we began to despair of , we ought to remember with sorrow and shame our sinful distrust of his power and promise , when we were in pursuit of them . This mercy filled Sarah with joy and wonder . God 's favours to his covenant people are such as surpass their own and others ' thoughts and expectations : who could imagine that he should do so much for those that deserve so little , nay , for those that deserve so ill ? Who would have said that God should send his Son to die for us , his Spirit to make us holy , his angels to attend us ? Who would have said that such great sins should be pardoned , such mean services accepted , and such worthless worms taken into covenant ? A short account of Isaac 's infancy is given . God 's blessing upon the nursing of children , and the preservation of them through the perils of the infant age , are to be acknowledged as signal instances of the care and tenderness of the Divine providence . See Psalms strkjv @22:9 ,10 . Hosea strkjv @11:1 ,2 . * Verse 9-13 - Let us not overlook the manner in which this family matter instructs us not to rest in outward privileges , or in our own doings . And let us seek the blessings of the new covenant by faith in its Divine Surety . Ishmael 's conduct was persecution , being done in profane contempt of the covenant and promise , and with malice against Isaac . God takes notice of what children say and do in their play ; and will reckon with them , if they say or do amiss , though their parents do not . Mocking is a great sin , and very provoking to God . And the children of promise must expect to be mocked . Abraham was grieved that Ishmael should misbehave , and Sarah demand so severe a punishment . But God showed him that Isaac must be the father of the promised Seed ; therefore , send Ishmael away , lest he corrupt the manners , or try to take the rights of Isaac . The covenant seed of Abraham must be a people by themselves , not mingled with those who were out of covenant : Sarah little thought of this ; but God turned aright what she said . * Verse 14-21 - If Hagar and Ishmael had behaved well in Abraham 's family , they might have continued there ; but they were justly punished . By abusing privileges , we forfeit them . Those who know not when they are well off , will be made to know the worth of mercies by the want of them . They were brought to distress in the wilderness . It is not said that the provisions were spent , or that Abraham sent them away without money . But the water was spent ; and having lost their way , in that hot climate Ishmael was soon overcome with fatigue and thirst . God 's readiness to help us when we are in trouble , must not slacken , but quicken our endeavours to help ourselves . The promise concerning her son is repeated , as a reason why Hagar should bestir herself to help him . It should engage our care and pains about children and young people , to consider that we know not what great use God has designed them for , and may make of them . The angel directs her to a present supply . Many who have reason to be comforted , go mourning from day to day , because they do not see the reason they have for comfort . There is a well of water near them in the covenant of grace , but they are not aware of it , till the same God that opened their eyes to see their wound , opens them to see their remedy . Paran was a wild place , fit for a wild man ; such as Ishmael . Those who are born after the flesh , take up with the wilderness of this world , while the children of the promise aim at the heavenly Canaan , and cannot be at rest till they are there . Yet God was with the lad ; his outward welfare was owing to this . * Verse 22-34 - Abimelech felt sure that the promises of God would be fulfilled to Abraham . It is wise to connect ourselves with those who are blessed of God ; and we ought to requite kindness to those who have been kind to us . Wells of water are scarce and valuable in eastern countries . Abraham took care to have his title to the well allowed , to prevent disputes in future . No more can be expected from an honest man than that he be ready to do right , as soon as he knows he has done wrong . Abraham , being now in a good neighbourhood , stayed a great while there . There he made , not only a constant practice , but an open profession of his religion . There he called on the name of the Lord , as the everlasting God ; probably in the grove he planted , which was his place of prayer . Abraham kept up public worship , in which his neighbours might join . Good men should do all they can to make others so . Wherever we sojourn , we must neither neglect nor be ashamed of the worship of Jehovah . **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary ****

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