Genesis 21

Bible Passage:  Genesis 21

God’s mercy and Abraham’s faith.

Therefore she said to Abraham, “Cast out this bondwoman and her son; for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, namely with Isaac.” And the matter was very displeasing in Abraham’s sight because of his son.
But God said to Abraham, “Do not let it be displeasing in your sight because of the lad or because of your bondwoman. Whatever Sarah has said to you, listen to her voice; for in Isaac your seed shall be called. Yet I will also make a nation of the son of the bondwoman, because he is your seed.” (Genesis 21:10-13)

It sounded almost like those Hong Kong drama serials whereby the man has got two wives and the wives fight over each other. And there we have, Abraham trapped in the middle, unsure of how to proceed, even to the point of distress.

I wondered if he was displeased over Sarah’s comment and apparent disharmony within the house, or was he displeased over the situation causing him such troublesome problems to settle, or was he unhappy about himself not being about to come up with a good solution?

Ishmael was his son too, albeit not the one that God has chosen. He must be torn in two; how can he forsake his own flesh and blood?

And then God came into the picture, bringing mercies. He understood the distress of Abraham, how he cares for his son.. and so He brought him another promise.

“Yet I will also make a nation of the son of the bondwoman, because he is your seed.” (Genesis 21:13)

Can you hear the love of God? Can you see how much God loved Abraham? They were really as close as friends.

And then we saw again the complete faith Abraham has for God. He rose early the next morning and sent them away. He must have really trusted that God would take care of them.

This gesture of his reminded me of Hymn 93 (English).

Sometimes a light surprises the Christian while he sings
It is the Lord who rises with healing in His wings
When comforts are declining He grants the soul again
A season of clear shining to cheer it after rain.

At times we get quite distressed over certain issues or problems we might be facing. But sometimes, while we pray, the word or promises of God can remove all these negative feelings. I believe it is just like what Abraham had gone through. After the word and promise of God, his worries and distress were gone, and he had faith to send Hagar and Ishmael away, knowing that it is for the good of everyone, and also knowing that God will take care of them.

“I did not know!”

And Abimelech said, “I do not know who has done this thing; you did not tell me, nor had I heard of it until today.” (Genesis 21:26)

The second time I read this verse today, it came out stronger. Abimelech was rebuked by Abraham because Abimelech’s servants had seized his well. But Abimelech’s reply was “I did not know.”

It made me think about our everyday dealings with people – isn’t that how misunderstandings happen?

Last week I was really upset with some friends for various reasons. I know that partly I was to learn to change too and so I did not confront about the matter, and well, as days passed, the matter appeared to have shrunk (remember what I mentioned earlier about the light surprises?). I brought it up today to one of them and apparently she had no clue at all about it. I had thought they might at least have sensed my hostility last week. :O

There was also another time when I almost lost a sister because of some assumptions and somehow we drifted apart. It was only when she decided to take the first step to clarify matters through an email that our friendship was preserved. Thank God for His grace!

And so I learnt that we cannot go around assuming things – assuming that people know this, assuming that people are feeling or thinking that way. They might not even have heard about it! If it is something that needs to be told, then tell it to the person, especially if it is someone you treasure. The lesson to learn here is to clarify matters, not assume.

The person you are upset with might not even be aware that you are upset with him/her! So why not just take that first step to make known your feelings and clarify things? Of course, this takes wisdom from God as well, to know the right time and manner to talk.

May God grant us the wisdom to share our deeper self with others, and also may we have the faith of Abraham, to remember the Lord’s mercy and to trust in Him.