GENESIS 21
Family joys (1–7). God kept His promises, followed His schedule, and did not fail. This time, Sarah’s laughter was open and sincere, not hidden and skeptical (
Family sorrows (8–21). Abraham reaped the sad consequences of forgiven sin. He had lived with Ishmael for perhaps seventeen years, and he loved the lad, so the parting was painful. There comes a time when we must “cut off” the past and make a new beginning. The apostle Paul saw this as a picture of law and grace (
Family testimony (22–34). Abraham’s unsaved neighbors could tell that he was a man whom God had blessed. Abraham didn’t try to lie his way out of this problem; he boldly told the truth and trusted God to work. The possession of water is an important thing in the East, and people will fight over wells. God’s people must be careful in their relationships with “those who are outside” the faith (
Life is a balance of joys and sorrows, problems and blessings. We must learn to accept what God gives us and walk by faith.