Genesis 21:1-14, Thoughts from Genesis (4)

·       Gen. 20:3 (and 12:18): In the stories of Abraham calling Sarah his sister, the discussion usually centers around what kind of man Abraham was to do that.  But here’s another thought: both stories show some level of respect for marriage, in Egypt and Gerar. which are idolatrous nations.  I know, kings have their multiple wives, and harems.  But they seemed to know it was immoral to take another man’s wife. 

·       Gen. 21:1-7: The emphasis on Sarah having a child is that God did it.  He visited Sarah and did for Sarah as He had spoken.  There’s not the usual “Abraham knew his wife and she conceived and bore a son.”  It’s true, he did know her (Rom. 4:19).  But the point is that this is an important aspect of God’s plan, a son by Abraham and Sarah.  Isaac is, of course, a great picture of Christ.

·       Gen. 21:8-14: Notice the emphasis on the fact Hagar is a bondwoman, a female slave.  Paul used the contrast of Sarah and Hagar to teach on grace and law (Gal. 4).  He didn’t just grab this out of thin air; in a context where Paul is talking about the spiritual descendants of Abraham, the two women are a perfect illustration.

·       Gen. 22: Chapter after chapter in the story of Abraham is full of great significance in terms of God’s plan (the mystery of God, the exaltation of His Son).  So much from Abraham’s life either sets important matters in motion (Israel) or becomes the foundation of theology (priesthood of Christ, faith, the gospel for all nations, and so much more) that I am hesitant to refer to this chapter as one of the greatest in all the Bible.  But it is!  Abraham, and Moses (the human author of Genesis who speaks of himself in 22:14), and the people of Israel, were able to see God’s involvement in the “seed of the woman” promise of Gen. 3:15.  Moses’ comments make it clear that they understood this whole event to be about the promised Savior. 

·       Gen. 23: Not much to say, except that it’s a good chapter to read when at the Cave of the Patriarchs (Machpelah) near Hebron.  I’m going to include some pictures of the building that sits over the cave, half synagogue and half mosque.  We have been on both sides but the interior photos are from the Jewish side.  You don’t see the actual cave, but there are memorial tombs for Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah, Rebekah, Leah and, interestingly, the head of Esau.  The story is that when the sons of Jacob brought the body of their father here for burial, Esau was there and tried to prevent them.  One of the sons of Dan, in anger, cut off Esau’s head.  That’s the story.  In order, from the top, left to right, are the building, the memorial tomb of Abraham, the memorial tomb of Sarah, and a view through the open window of the memorial tomb of Jacob.