Genesis 21: 8-21
The child grew and was weaned, and on the day Isaac was weaned Abraham held a great feast.
But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptain had borne to Abraham was mocking, and she said to Abraham, “Get rid of that slave woman and her son, for that slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac.”
The matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son. But God said to him, “Do not be so distressed about the boy and your maidservant. Listen to whatever Sarah tells you, because it is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned. I will make the son of the maidservant into a nation also, because he is your offspring.”
Early the next morning Abraham took some food and a skin of water and gave them to Hagar. 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.
When the water in the skin was gone, she put the boy under one of the bushes. Then she went off and sat nearby, about a bowshot away, for she thought, “I cannot watch the boy die.” And as she sat there nearby, she began to sob.
God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation.”
Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink.
God was with the boy as he grew up. He lived in the desert and became an archer. While he was living in the Desert of Paranoias, his mother got a wife for him from Egypt.
A Thought
God has a perfect plan for each us to fulfill, but seldom do we wait to hear from him before we plan our own lives. Sarah had no children and decided to give her maidservant, Hagar, to Abraham to borne him a child. Needless to say, bad choices creates many problems, but God will incorporate our mistakes into his plans. Hagar conceived and Ishmael was born. Ishmael was to become a great nation, but also to be a wild donkey of a man to live in hostility. About thirteen years later, God gives Sarah and Abraham the son that he had promised, Isaac who became part of the great Jewish nation.
Our Prayer
Father forgive us for making bad choices; Thank you that you still incorporate our mistakes into your plans for us to receive your love, mercy and grace. Awaken us to a life filled with the power of your Holy Spirit to be your obedient children. We ask in Jesus’ name, amen.
