God Is Good, All the Time, Genesis 21:8-21

We opened this chapter with a birthday celebration. Now, just eight verses later, we have another celebration; but we’ll get to that in a moment.

When you open to Genesis 21:8-21 your Bible might have a man-made heading that reads like one of these:

Hagar and Ishmael Depart

Hagar and Ishmael Sent Away

Sarah Turns against Hagar

God Protects Hagar and Ishmael

As if Hagar and Ishmael are the main characters.

However, the Main Character, is God and the theme is His Goodness.

God Is Good All the Time.

He’s, our example. 

Jesus says it like this:

Matthew 5:43-48

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Love enemies, bless cursers, do good to haters, pray for users; that’s a tall order, but with the Lord’s help, doable… well, until we get to the “be perfect” part.

Only God is perfect. How can we be perfect?

Perfect, in the original text is, Teleios. It means, having reached its end, fully complete, fully mature. Like a telescope, extending, one stage at a time, until reaching full length, full strength, full vision and clarity.

Ephesians 4:11-14.

He gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect (mature, complete teleios) man, to the full measure of the stature of Christ.

We won’t reach that glorious goal until we see Him face to face, 1 Corinthians 13:10-12.

Until then, we keep growing, and going, and glowing from glory to glory for the glory of God—and celebrating birthdays and milestones along the way.

Which brings us to another milestone celebration today.

8 So the child grew and was weaned. And Abraham made a great feast on the same day that Isaac was weaned.

We’ve been partying a lot.

We kicked off this chapter by celebrating the birth of Isaac, then we celebrated the birth of the Church (Pentecost) in our midweek service, now we celebrate the weaning of Isaac. On top of all that we had three people in our little WPV family celebrate birthdays this past week.   

With the convergence of all these celebrations it appears that God is not only Good, but He likes a Good celebration.

Jesus said in Luke 15:10 that the angels in heaven rejoice when one sinner gets born again. There must be nonstop birthday parties in heaven.   

Okay, so Abe throws a big feast for Isaac’s weaning party. It sounds funny but a celebration for this was customary in that culture.  

Isaac is no longer a baby, but a toddler, probably 2-3 years old. His life is unfolding, extending, one stage at time, like a telescope.

Isaac will grow to become the second patriarch of the nation of Israel, the husband of Rebecca, and father of Esau and Jacob. 

They say this great feast would include great guests. One of which would’ve been king Abimelech. Introductions must’ve been awkward.

Hi, your highness, how do you know little Isaac?

Um, well, I kidnapped his mom.

All those who knew little Isaac, fully expected this day to come; when he would graduate from milk to meat.

The Lord fully expects that from us as well.

1 Peter 2:1-2

 ...as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby

That you may grow thereby, means we can’t stop there.

For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. ¹⁴ But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Hebrews 5:13-14.

The Lord fully expects us to teleios, grow up, go from glory to glory, to full age, to Spiritual maturity.

9 And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, scoffing. 

Hagar is Sarah’s maid. The son of Hagar is 15-16 year old, Ishmael; who is also the son of Abraham. So that makes him half-brother to Isaac and step-son to Sarah.

Although Ishmael is one of the main characters in this chapter, his name is never mentioned. Genesis 16:12 tells us he will be a wild donkey of a man—so what’s that make him as a teenager?  

Isaac means laughter. This is a joyous occasion with much laughter.

However, laughing with someone is a whole lot different than laughing at someone.

Sarah sees the son of Hagar the Egyptian, laughing at her dear sweet, marvelous, precious, promise child, Isaac.

She takes it personal, like any mom would, but especially Sarah, because that smirking, scoffing, wild donkey of a child, is the fruit of her foolishness.

She knows it. And it stings.   

Sarah had told Abraham in Genesis 16:2, to sleep with Hagar, saying, “perhaps I’ll obtain children by her.”

Honey, go knock up the maid lady. Then, she and her baby can live with us, and we’ll pretend the baby’s mine… what could possibly go wrong?

I wonder if Sarah was blond?

Abe’s like, well okay, whatever you say.

And thus, the genesis of, Baby Mama Drama.

As soon as we step outside God’s Divine Design, we’re sowing to the flesh, and will reap a harvest of corruption.

For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life

Galatians 6:8

10 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.” 

Wow… This is God’s first family at the time? This, dysfunctional mess.

That is Good news for folks with messy families, with half this and ex-that and steps going every direction.

For 15-16 years Abraham and Ishmael grew close.

Obviously, not Sarah. She hadn’t bonded with the bondwoman and her son. Notice how she dehumanizes them by not even saying their names.

But then, put yourself in Sarah’s shoes. Maybe she had to walk on egg shells, all those years while Ishmael grew, and she was barren.

Perhaps she bit her tongue a million times, just to keep the peace, for the sake of her baby, while she was nursing.

But no more!

This is the last straw; she’s no longer barren and Isaac’s no longer a baby. My son will not be mocked, nor will he share his inheritance with that son-of-a—bondwoman.

It was bound to happen, those seeds of the flesh finally blossomed.

Sow to the flesh and reap a harvest of corruption.

  

11 And the matter was very displeasing in Abraham’s sight because of his son.

Naturally speaking, he loved his son. Simple as that.

Spiritually speaking, when we sow to the flesh, we become attracted and attached, to the things of the flesh.

James 1:14-15

But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

12 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. 

God is Good, all the time.

God shows up with clarity and direction.

Simple.

But hard.

You might’ve heard this story of a famous preacher, if I said his name you’d know him, but it can apply to anyone willing to follow their personal God given, Divine Eternal Purpose.

The preacher was headed out the door when he heard. “Dad, you might as well give up the God stuff, it doesn’t work. I’m proof. I don’t believe it.”

Dad stopped, turned, looked at his boy, “I love you son, that’ll never change.” Then he shook his head, “but I don’t love you enough to go to hell for you.” Then he smiled and nodded “But Jesus does...and He did.” And out the door he went, to preach… to do God stuff.

The same God stuff that, one day, eventually, his son would follow dad’s footsteps and do the same.

Matthew 10:36-39
‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ ³⁷ He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. ³⁸ And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. ³⁹ He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.

 CHRISTIANITY IS NOT A COP-OUT FOR THE WIMPY, IT’S A COVENANT OF COMPLETE COMMITMENT

13 Yet I will also make a nation of the son of the bondwoman, because he is your seed.”

God is Good, all the time.

There’s a rabbinical writing that tells of angels asking God why He’d bless Ishmael knowing all the evil and bloodshed his descendants would bring.

God asked the angels which of those evil deeds Ishmael had done.

They said none, for it was his future generations.

The Lord said He would not judge on deeds to come, but only those done.

Now, that’s not in Scripture, we don’t know if it ever happened (probably not, since angels don’t know the future; unless God told them).   

But the point is, God has no prejudice; no pre-judge-ness.

He judges according to deeds done, not according to deeds that will be done.

In other words, God doesn’t pre-judge Ishmael and his descendants even though He already knows most of them will become enemies of Isaac and his descendants.

He didn’t pre judge Judas, even though He knew he would betray Him. He actually blessed Judas, promoted him, honored him, washed his dirty, stinking, betraying feet, loved him, to the end. Judas willingly chose to walk, on those nice clean feet, into the filthy darkness.

Jesus doesn’t prejudge you, or me, for the times we, will screw-up royally.

However, on the other hand, God may bless according to what will be done.

God is Good, all the time.

He looks at you through the lens of His Divine Eternal Purpose for you, He sees who you can be, in Him.

Abraham and Sarah didn’t have a great track record. According to deeds done, they’d have been kicked off God’s track team a long time ago.

So would we.

God knew Abraham would obediently, offer his son.

God knew Noah would obediently build that boat.

God knew you’d be here, to hear this today.

You cannot change your past, but in the blink of a decision to put God first, you can change your future, for the better, forever.

God is Good, all the time.

While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8.

He knew, that His coming in weakness, living sinless, dying spotless, rising blameless, would lead many of us, to Him.  

One more thing in this verse.

Notice it says, because he is your seed.

Ishmael is blessed because he is Abraham’s.

Lot was delivered because God remembered Abraham. Genesis 19:29.

If you abide under the shadow of the Almighty, those God’s given you, those under in your care, under your covering, are blessed with the same shade. Psalm 91.

Your walk with (or without) God has a powerful impact on all those He’s given you. Living, is a big responsibility. We must teleios.

Deuteronomy 5:9-10
For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, ¹⁰ but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

 

14 So Abraham rose early in the morning, and took bread and a skin of water; and putting it on her shoulder, he gave it and the boy to Hagar, and sent her away. Then she departed and wandered in the Wilderness of Beersheba. 

Abraham rose early. He obeyed right away.

As painful as it was, he put God First.

This small test was preparation for a major test, and promotion, just down the road (Genesis 22:1-18). 

 

15 And the water in the skin was used up, and she placed the boy under one of the shrubs. 

Jewish writings indicate that the boy became ill, unable to walk, after Sarah “cast an evil eye” on him.

We don’t have Scripture to confirm this, but it may explain the wording that seems to indicate Ishmael was carried (verses Genesis 21:14, 15, 18).

 

16 Then she went and sat down across from him at a distance of about a bowshot; for she said to herself, “Let me not see the death of the boy.” So she sat opposite him, and lifted her voice and wept.

This is a picture of the final harvest of sowing to the flesh.

The water is gone, the resources are dried up.

We tried everything, looked everywhere, all that’s left is sorrow and death.  

Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death…

Sow to the flesh and reap a harvest of corruption.

 

17 And God heard the voice of the lad. Then the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said to her, “What ails you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is. 

God heard…

God called…

God comforts, “Fear not”

Because…

GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME

And Romans 6:23 doesn’t end in death.

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Because…

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME

Look closely at the last three words of this verse.

God hears the lad, “where he is.”

Not a question; where is he? But a knowing nearness. I know where, he, is.

He knows, where, you, are.

God comes to us. Immanuel, God with us. He shows up, where we’re at, and works with us from there. No matter where.

Because…

GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME.

18 Arise, lift up the lad and hold him with your hand, for I will make him a great nation.”

Arise, lift up, hold

These are words often heard from our Lord, it’s how He is, always calling up, lifting up, holding fast…

Because…

GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME

19 Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. And she went and filled the skin with water, and gave the lad a drink. 

God opened her eyes, and she saw

When God shows up, we see everything we need is within reach.

A well of water

Jesus offered another woman at a well, water that’d quench thirst forever, and never run dry, John 4:14; 7:38.

He offers that Same Living Water, today, here and now, to you.

Because…

GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME

She filled and gave

The water wasn’t just for her to fill and drink, and live, but fill and give.

Lord, fill us, to flow through us, for the thirsty around us.

Because…

Lord God, You Are So Good, all the time

 

20 So God was with the lad; and he grew and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer. 

God was with them, and that made all the difference.

Remember, we started out hearing about how Isaac grew and was weaned. For a long time, he was just a dream for his parents, who were as good as dead (as far as childbearing).

Now we hear how Ishmael grew. However, Hagar thought he was as good as dead. But here he is, alive and well.

Because,

God is Good, all the time.

21 He dwelt in the Wilderness of Paran; and his mother took a wife for him from the land of Egypt.

He dwelt in the Wilderness of Paran

They don’t travel far from Abraham, and they must’ve stayed somewhat connected because we see Ishmael and Isaac together again, in chapter 25, as they bury their father.

She took him a wife from Egypt,

Even though they weren’t far from Abraham, Hagar took a wife for her son from Egypt.

So, we don’t know for sure, but it seems to imply she did not follow the God of Abraham. The One who showed her such loving kindness.

Of course, God knew all that, but was kind to her anyway.

He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.  Matt 5:45

Because…

GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME!

 

Let’s pray.

Lord God, thank You for continually showing us, that You are Good, all the time.

Even in a world of wickedness, we believe, You are Good, all the time.

Even when we’re bad, You are Good, all the time.

Thank You for telling us, that You will continue the Good work You’ve begun in us.

Thank You that Your Goodness, leads to repentance.

Lord, we yield to You. Have Your Good will be done in us, and through us, to others, so we all will hear You say one day, “Well done, enter in, My good and faithful servant.”

We love You, forever.

Amen.

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 This was feed for you to read. Now it’s Seed for you to sow.

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