Immediately after the history of Abraham and Abimelech, which was related in the previous chapter, we find the glad tidings of the birth of Isaac. Undoubtedly the words at the beginning of this chapter, "And the Lord visited Sarah," are to be viewed in the light of what preceded in Genesis 20. From these beginning words we conclude that within a year, most likely soon after Sarah had been saved from Abimelech, she conceived.

This means that the Lord, in a supernatural way, made her able to become a mother. We read, "And the Lord visited Sarah as He had said."

The word "visit" is used in the Bible in a twofold meaning. Such a visit could be a revelation of God to punish His people or to comfort them. Thus we find in Psalm 59:5, "Thou therefore, O Lord God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah." In this text "visit" means a revelation of God's wrath.

In the history of Sarah it means a revelation of God's goodness and love. Such a visit cannot be missed in our lives, otherwise we cannot enter into the kingdom of God. How necessary it is that the Lord visits us with His salvation. The Lord visited Sarah as He had promised. He always fulfills His promises, although sometimes it takes years before the fulfillment comes. It happens at His time and in His way. Often it even goes against our expectations, that at the fulfillment we may see clearly God's hand. When it takes so long, it can produce much strife, and the question arises, "Has God forgotten to be merciful?"

The Lord mentions expressly in our text that Abraham was one hundred years old; then Sarah was 90 years old. Unbelief would have whispered time and again, "Now it has become impossible." This is true for man, but for the Lord nothing is too wonderful. The unbeliever does not consider it possible that miracles take place. The Bible is a closed book for him. When we do not believe one truth, then the whole Bible becomes a question mark. This history tells us that God will fulfill His promises, no matter how impossible it seems to our human observations. This can happen also in the life of faith. We should not despair of God's promises, but cling to them.

God gave Sarah a son in a supernatural way; this is confirmed in Scripture (Hebrews 11:11). It occurred one year after the appearance of the Lord which is described in Genesis 17:21 and 18:10, 14. Moses described this history extensively as a proof of God's faithfulness. He asked special attention for this miraculous birth, because here also the Lord had done a short work (Romans 9:28). So the promised nation of Israel came into existence through impossibility.

Is it not the same with the birth of Christ, who was born from the virgin Mary? For the world this is also an unbelievable history, but for God's people it is of the greatest comfort that the Lord in an impossible way fulfills His promises to the church, even when everything seems to be cut off; He will not forsake the works of His hands.

In his old age Abraham received a son from Sarah. He named the child Isaac, which means "to laugh," or "laughter." This name was appointed for him by God before his birth (Genesis 17:19). According to the commandment of God given before, Abraham circumcised Isaac when he was eight days old. This is the first mention in the Bible of circumcision taking place, according to God's institution, on the eighth day. We have mentioned before that circumcision is an example of the circumcision of the heart, or true conversion. This was also necessary for Isaac, because without a new heart he was a child of Abraham after the flesh, but not after the Spirit. This regeneration is also indispensable for us, young friends. It is not sufficient to be baptized with water, which is a sign that we can be washed from our sins by the blood of Christ. May the Lord give a longing in our hearts to seek Him early.

In this chapter, mention is also made of Sarah's joy and happiness: "God has made me to laugh." This joy is understandable, because this is the same when we get a baby brother or sister; then we are happy. This was true in a special way for Sarah, because there had been so much doubt in her heart. She had laughed in unbelief when the Lord promised her a son, although she denied it later on. But now she may laugh by faith. She stated that everyone who would see her would rejoice with her that she became a mother. Friends and neighbors would rejoice with Sarah in the great miracle the Lord had performed for her. But also others at a greater distance would be impressed by God's power in this birth.

Sarah laughed to glorify God; it was a holy laugh. It is possible that she thought of the far distant future when the greater Isaac would be born. Would the people not rejoice when they would meet the greater Isaac as their Redeemer? So it is also today when the Lord reveals there is a way of salvation outside of ourselves; then there is holy wonder in the heart and rejoicing. Then we are not laughing, like the world, at all kinds of foolishness, but may experience how faithful the Lord really is for His church.

Sarah even spoke in the plural, "And she said, Who would have said to Abraham, that Sarah should have given children suck?" She spoke in the plural, because she might see and believe that in her son the names of Abraham and herself would become reality (Genesis 17:15, 16). She might nurse her child, notwithstanding her old age. The blessedness of motherhood and the nursing of children is clearly shown us in Scripture (Genesis 49:25; Psalm 22:9; Luke 11:27 & 23:29). The lives of Rachel and Hannah reveal to us their desire for children and the affliction and reproach accompanying those women who were barren.

When we look back at the histories of the birth of Christ and of Isaac, then we know that both had been announced prior to the event. Abraham and Sarah had to wait for twenty-five years before the promise was fulfilled. The birth of the Lord Jesus was already announced in Paradise, and after four thousand years this promise was fulfilled. Both came into this world at God's time. It is remarkable that the names of both also were made known before they were born. Although different, both were conceived in a supernatural way. When they were born, there was joy. This is especially true at the birth of Jesus. Such a joy is yet experienced today when one may personally learn that Christ is born and may take part in the grace He has merited. Young friends, we hope that your attention may be drawn by the Holy Spirit toward the good tidings of Christ's coming into this world that sinners may be saved. We realize that many other spirits are also working, but leading in the opposite direction. Ask the Lord to show you the way you are to go.

From God's Word we conclude that Isaac grew up prosperously. Sarah fulfilled her duty as mother as much as possible. Then the time of weaning came. From the moment of weaning a child may be said to enter on a separate, and independent, existence, attaining then for the first time a distinct individuality of being. The time of weaning is commonly believed to have been at the end of the third year of life. Some make it broader, between two and five years (1 Samuel 1:22-24; 2 Chronicles 31:16).

At the occasion of the weaning of Isaac, Abraham made a great feast. It is still a custom in the East to have a festive gathering at the time a child is weaned. Among the Hindus the event is accom­panied with feasting and religious ceremonies, during which rice is formally presented to the child (Bible Manners and Customs, by Rev. J. A. Foreman, M.A.). At the weaning feast all were called in to share in the joy of the moment. We may suppose that such a banquet was religious in its character. If so, then it is not only a sanction of religious festivals, but it reminds us also that we should connect the events of family life immediately with the Word and ordinances of God. Do we think of this when we have our "feasts"? We think of the marriage feast in Cana of Galilee, where the Lord Jesus was also present and performed His first miracle. Would it not be a great privilege if it would also happen at our feasts that the Lord were present?

On this special day Ishmael mocked with Isaac. We know that mocking is a sharp weapon which has wounded many people, especially the church. Mocking is often done against someone's religion. Isaac himself probably did not feel so much of this mocking, because he was yet so young. We, too, must be careful with the little ones, for there can be lasting effects from that which is experienced in early youth. Very likely Isaac had no response to what Ishmael had done, but Sarah saw it, and she felt it the more.

Why was Sarah hurt by it? Because it was also for Ishmael's sake that she had been humbled by Hagar, even before Ishmael was born (Genesis 16:4). Wrong feelings can then soon be readily transferred from parents to children. Parents in their homes are to be warned against showing ill-feelings against others, especially when it is against those who may serve in the church, for the offices are given by the Lord Himself.

Ishmael, who was now between sixteen and seventeen years old, mocked with his half-brother and made the name "Isaac," or "laughing," to come true, but with the wrong interpretation. His mocking sprouted out of bitterness, and the apostle calls it persecution (Galatians 4:29). We should not forget that it was because of Isaac that Ishmael had lost the great inheritance of Abraham (Genesis 17:18).

How much better it would have been for Ishmael if he had noticed the miracle the Lord had performed and had taken part in the feast with all his heart. But now he mocked with God's great work and dishonored a child of God. When we touch the apple of God's eye, which is His children, then we have God against us. Still the church must be prepared for persecution, since it will be their portion on earth. It is the conse­quence of the enmity which was foretold in Paradise. However, God's children may know that the strife will not last forever. The Lord has said that it would be only ten days, and it is possible that nine have already passed by. There is a future for the church, and then the enemies will no longer mock.

3Sarah demanded that Abraham send Hagar and Ishmael away. She was greatly disturbed by the attitude of Ishmael, which could have led to even more severe outbursts of hatred, as between Cain and Abel. Some say that Ishmael had hit Isaac, or in another way had mistreated him, but persecution does not always show itself in physical violence. Here, however, the enmity of Ishmael against Isaac was very clear. It was for this reason that Sarah wanted to send them away before something worse would happen. She said, "Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac."

Sarah's reaction seems to be very hard, unfeeling, and unmerciful. She should not have forgotten that in her blindness she herself had been the cause of all the present problems. Instead of waiting for God's time to fulfil His promise, she had intervened to help the Lord to do it, and Ishmael, who now mocked with Isaac, was the consequence of it. Sarah was confronted with the bitter fruit of her own doing. Is this not often the case? When we are in trouble, do we not have to look in our own heart and find that it is because we went our own way? The Lord constantly brings to our atten­tion that we should acknowledge Him in all our ways.

We cannot deny that what Sarah requested seems to be hard, but sometimes it is difficult to judge the action of another person. Different reasons can work together which lead to a certain reaction. Sarah could have done it out of wounded pride. Then we must condemn it. However, it is also possible that she made this request after praying to God for guidance. This is more likely, because the Lord approved the request of Sarah. She may have seen something whereof the apostle Paul writes in his epistle to the Galatians in chapter 4:22, "For it is written, that Abraham had two sons," (Ishmael and Isaac), "the one by a bondmaid," (this was Hagar, who was a slave woman and whose child was also a slave), "the other by a free woman," (which was Sarah). Ishmael was born after the flesh, but Isaac was born by promise. Sarah requested that Hagar and Ishmael be sent away: "Cast out this bondwoman and her son." This was a difficult request for Abraham.

It was not well received by Abraham, but the Lord convinced him that Sarah's request was right and that he must listen to her. By this word of the Lord he was convinced that Hagar and Ishmael must leave his tent. He was made willing to follow God's commandment. God's people are made willing in the day of His power. Then they can be sure that the Lord will be with them. In keeping of God's commandment there is a great reward.

Has this ever happened in our life, that we had to make a very difficult decision, which was against our flesh and blood, but which we felt we had to do because it was God's commandment? This can be also the breaking up of a relationship with a boyfriend or a girlfriend because there is no agreement on the basis of God's Word. As Abraham has experienced, it can be very painful. Since it was the will of God, by the grace which God had worked in his heart, he could obey.

For Abraham it was a very difficult way, but it was a preparation for an even greater deed of faith in the future, namely, to sacrifice Isaac. But first he had to learn to be separated from Hagar and Ishmael. In such ways the Lord instructs His people step by step. Separation must take place time and time again, as can be seen so clearly in the history of Abraham and his descendants. Earlier Abraham had to say farewell to his country and relatives, later on to Lot, and now to Ishmael. And so it went on. Keturah, her children, and also Esau were not counted among God's people. Later in the history the ten tribes separated from the house of David, and finally the multitude of Israel is not included in the covenant (Romans 11:5; Galatians 4:22 and the verses following).

We may live under the truth, but the same separation is applicable for us: to forsake everything for Christ's sake (Matthew 19:29), to be separated (2 Corinthians 6:16-18), and to live alone (Romans 1:1; Galatians 1:15). So it will continue to the end of the world, when the great separation will take place. May this also be for our instruction, young friends; we should be separate, and we may not go along with the world.

Questions⤒🔗

1. Mention some comparisons between the birth of Isaac and the birth of the Lord Jesus.
2. Try to identify the different persons who rejoiced at the birth of Isaac and at the birth of the Lord Jesus.
3. According to God's commandment Abraham had to send Hagar and Ishmael away. This is one instance of separation in his life. Show from the history of Abraham that this repeated itself several times in his life and in that of his descendants. How should it be in our lives?
4. What did Paul say about Ishmael and Isaac in Galatians 4? Try to find an explanation of what Paul was saying to the Galatians.