Genesis 21:1-7

3. The Birth of the Promised Heir (Genesis 21:1-7)

1 And Jehovah visited Sarah as he had said, and Jehovah did unto Sarah as he had spoken. 2 And Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him. 3 And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac. 4 And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him. 5 And Abraham was a hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him. 6 And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh; every one that heareth will laugh with me. 7 And she said, Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should give children suck? for I have borne him a son in his old age.

Genesis 21:1-2Yahweh visited Sarah, that is, fulfilled His promise at the set time He had promised to do so: our God keeps His promises to the very letter. (Cf. Genesis 17:21; Genesis 18:10; Genesis 18:14). Sarah bare Abraham a son in his old age: all sources emphasize the fact that Isaac was a late-born child (Skinner, ICCG, 321). And Abraham called the son's name Isaac, i.e., Laughter (cf. Genesis 17:17, Genesis 18:12). The son was so called because of his father's believing and his mother's unbelieving laughter at the promise of his birth, and because of their great joy now at the fulfillment of it (Genesis 21:6; cf. Isaiah 54:1). The birth, naming and circumcision of Isaac were in accord with Genesis 17:19; Genesis 17:12. Ishmael had been circumcised previously at the age of thirteen (Genesis 17:25). Abraham was now 100 years old: thus he had waited twenty-five years for the fulfillment of the promise (cf. Genesis 12:5)a remarkable instance of faith and patience (Romans 4:20); and thus Isaac's birth was a remarkable demonstration of divine power (Romans 4:20, Hebrews 11:11-12). The several instances of miraculous conception mentioned in Scripture are the following: Sarah (Hebrews 11:11); Rebekah (Genesis 25:21); Rachel (Genesis 30:22); Manoah's wife (Judges 13:3-24); Hannah (1 Samuel 1:19-20); Elisabeth (Luke 1:24-25; Luke 1:36-37; Luke 1:58); and Mary, by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:18; Matthew 1:20; Luke 1:31-35).

REVIEW QUESTIONS

See Genesis 21:22-24.