Genesis 21:22-34

III. Dwelling in the Land of the Philistines (Genesis 21:22-34)

a.      Genesis 21:22 – And it came to pass at that time, that Abimelech and Phichol the chief captain of his host spake unto Abraham, saying, God [is] with thee in all that thou doest:

1.      Phichol – פיכל Piykol, "strong"

2.      “God is with thee” - אלהים 'elohiym, Abimelech recognizes God as Elohiym, not the covenant God יהוה Yĕhovah

3.      Its obvious to Abimelech that God is with him, not only from the previous encounter but says “in all that thou doest”

b.      Genesis 21:23 – Now therefore swear unto me here by God that thou wilt not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son's son: [but] according to the kindness that I have done unto thee, thou shalt do unto me, and to the land wherein thou hast sojourned.

1.      Why would a king travel all the way out to visit a resident to ask him to treat him kindly, there seems to be more to this story, lets continue…

2.      Abimelech seems to have not gotten completely over the first encounter and does not fully trust Abraham

3.      Notice that Abimelech asked Abraham to swear kindness to him, yet Abimelech did not reciprocate

4.      Why did the king ask Abraham to swear? Abraham lost credibility when he previously misled Abimelech; therefore, Abimelech could only trust his word by invoking the name of his God.

§       Its important to honor your word and maintain a reputation of integrity

c.      Genesis 21:24 – And Abraham said, I will swear.

1.      Matthew 5:34-37 –  But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.  But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

§       Why did Abraham feel the need to swear?

§       He knew he had violated the king’s trust and felt obligated to honor his request

2.      Abimelech did not swear kindness to Abraham, this appears to be a one-sided deal so far

3.      This situation is repeated almost exactly with Isaac in Genesis 26

d.      Genesis 21:25 – And Abraham reproved Abimelech because of a well of water, which Abimelech's servants had violently taken away.

1.      Reproved - יכח yakach, verb, to prove, decide, judge, rebuke, reprove, correct, be right

2.      Note that Abraham accommodated Abimelech’s request before he brought up the issue with the well

3.      Even if unknown to Abimelech we can see the common behavior expected from his servants, they are violent and take things by force

4.      How does someone take a well or real estate?  Much like today the US government, or state governments can take property through eminent domain (though here in the US they are suppose to provide payment for it) Many nations, even today, considered all land to be the property of the king or government and few were afforded the right to own private property.

§       Genesis 20:15 - And Abimelech said, Behold, my land [is] before thee: dwell where it pleaseth thee.

§       Abraham had been granted permission to live in peace within the land of the Philistines

e.      Genesis 21:26 – And Abimelech said, I wot not who hath done this thing: neither didst thou tell me, neither yet heard I [of it], but to day.

1.      Here we get to the main reason of Abimelech’s visit to Abraham, a diplomatic mission to alleviate any resentment.

2.      Abimelech – “I didn’t know anything about this until today!”, Doesn’t say that he just now heard it from Abraham, but he heard it this day

3.      This shows that Abimelech had a healthy respect for God and His servant Abraham. 

§       Jasher 22:5-7 – And they came and quarreled with the servants of Abraham, and they robbed them of the great well which they had dug.  And Abimelech king of the Philistines heard of this affair, and he went with Phicol the captain of the host and twenty of his men came to Abraham, and Abimelech spoke to Abraham concerning his servants, and Abraham rebuked Abimelech concerning the well of which his servants had robbed him.  And Abimelech said to Abraham, As the Lord liveth who created the whole earth, I did not hear of the act which my servants did unto thy servants until this day.

f.       Genesis 21:27 – And Abraham took sheep and oxen, and gave them unto Abimelech; and both of them made a covenant.

1.      Covenant formed the same way that Abraham expected to form the covenant of 15:10

2.      What is the covenant? v.30 that the well belonged to Abraham and that Abraham and his family could settle the land peacefully

g.      Genesis 21:28 – And Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves.

1.      Payment for the legal right to dwell in the land of the Philistines

2.      God promised this land to Abraham, now he has legal claim with the current ruler.

h.      Genesis 21:29 – And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What [mean] these seven ewe lambs which thou hast set by themselves?

i.       Genesis 21:30 – And he said, For [these] seven ewe lambs shalt thou take of my hand, that they may be a witness unto me, that I have digged this well.

j.       Genesis 21:31 – Wherefore he called that place Beersheba; because there they sware both of them.

1.      Beersheba – באר שבע Bĕ'er Sheba`, "well of the sevenfold oath"

§       Corresponding to the seven ewe lambs given to Abimelech

2.      They both sware on this covenant

k.      Genesis 21:32 – Thus they made a covenant at Beersheba: then Abimelech rose up, and Phichol the chief captain of his host, and they returned into the land of the Philistines.

1.      Think about how important Abraham was that a king and his Captain (and most likely an entire entourage) traveled to Abraham just to get his word that he would treat them kindly

2.      Almost like a politician seeking an endorsement

l.       Genesis 21:33 – And [Abraham] planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God.

1.      Abraham planted a grove – tamarisk tree, possibly trees

§       a general term for several species of Old World shrubs and trees in the genus Tamarix with scalelike leaves on very thin terminal twigs

§       The tree can protect other vegetation from high wind, Abraham possibly planted some crops there

§       Jasher 22:11-12 – And Abraham planted a large grove in Beersheba, and he made to it four gates facing the four sides of the earth, and he planted a vineyard in it, so that if a traveler came to Abraham he entered any gate which was in his road, and remained there and ate and drank and satisfied himself and then departed.  For the house of Abraham was always open to the sons of men that passed and repassed, who came daily to eat and drink in the house of Abraham.

o      Sounds like Abraham attempted to replicate Eden

o      It goes on to say in v.13 that Abraham would provide clothing, food and even money to those who would come in need, but most importantly is says he would “…make known to him the Lord who created him in the earth; this did Abraham all his life.”

o      Abraham lived a life devoted to God, and served as a witness upon the earth of the one true God.

2.      Appears to be a connection between Abraham and Isaac calling upon יהוה Yĕhovah, at this location Beersheba:

§       Genesis 26:23-25 - And he (Isaac) went up from thence to Beersheba.   And the LORD appeared unto him the same night, and said, I [am] the God of Abraham thy father: fear not, for I [am] with thee, and will bless thee, and multiply thy seed for my servant Abraham's sake.  And he builded an altar there, and called upon the name of the LORD, and pitched his tent there: and there Isaac's servants digged a well.

§       Genesis 26:26-33 – Then Abimelech went to him from Gerar, and Ahuzzath one of his friends, and Phichol the chief captain of his army.  And Isaac said unto them, Wherefore come ye to me, seeing ye hate me, and have sent me away from you?  And they said, We saw certainly that the LORD was with thee: and we said, Let there be now an oath betwixt us, [even] betwixt us and thee, and let us make a covenant with thee;  That thou wilt do us no hurt, as we have not touched thee, and as we have done unto thee nothing but good, and have sent thee away in peace: thou [art] now the blessed of the LORD.  And he made them a feast, and they did eat and drink.  And they rose up betimes in the morning, and sware one to another: and Isaac sent them away, and they departed from him in peace. And it came to pass the same day, that Isaac's servants came, and told him concerning the well which they had digged, and said unto him, We have found water. And he called it Shebah: therefore the name of the city [is] Beersheba unto this day.   

m.    Genesis 21:34 – And Abraham sojourned in the Philistines' land many days.

1.      Sojourn - גור guwr, verb,

§       to sojourn, abide, dwell in, dwell with, remain, inhabit, be a stranger, be continuing, surely

§       to stir up trouble, strife, quarrel, gather together

§       to dread, fear, stand in awe, be afraid

Genesis 21:1-21

I.                The Promise Delivered (Genesis 21:1-8)

a.      Genesis 21:1 – And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken.

1.      LORD – יהוה Yĕhovah

2.      visited - פקד paqad, to attend to, muster, number, reckon, visit, punish, appoint, look after, care for

b.      Genesis 21:2 – For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.

1.      Confirmation that Isaac was in fact Abraham’s son (rather than conceived by the Holy Spirit as Christ)

2.      Confirmation that it was the Lord that caused this as it happened at the appointed time

3.      Set time – Exact time

4.      Ishmael 14 years old when Isaac born

5.      God - אלהים 'elohiym

c.      Genesis 21:3 – And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac.

1.      Isaac – יצחק Yitschaq, "he laughs"

2.      Three times for emphasis:

a.      His son

b.      Born unto him

c.      Sarah bare him

d.      Genesis 21:4 – And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old, as God had commanded him.

1.      Eight – It is 7 plus 1. Hence it is the number specially associated with Resurrection and Regeneration, and the beginning of a new era or order. ~E.W. Bullinger, Numbers in Scripture

2.      As opposed to Ishmael at 13 years: Thirteen - every occurrence of the number thirteen, and likewise of every multiple of it, stamps that with which it stands in connection with rebellion, apostasy, defection, corruption, disintegration, revolution, or some kindred idea.  ~E.W. Bullinger, Numbers in Scripture

e.      Genesis 21:5 – And Abraham was an hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him.

1.      25 years since the promise was given

a.      75 years old when he departed Haran (Genesis 12:4)

2.      Ishmael was 14 when Isaac was born

3.      392 years A.F. (After Flood)

§        Shem is 490/600

§        Arphaxad is 390/438

§        Salah is 355/433

§        Eber is 325/464

§        Peleg dead for 52 years

§        Reu dead for 22 years

§        Serug 229/230

§        Nahor dead for 51 years

§        Terah is 170/205

f.       Genesis 21:6 – And Sarah said, “God hath made me to laugh, [so that] all that hear will laugh with me.”

1.      Compare to Mary’s words in Luke:

a.      Luke 1:46-47 – And Mary said, “My soul doth magnify the Lord and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.”

b.      Just as Sarah laughs with contagious joy, so too does Mary rejoice in her God and Savior.

g.      Genesis 21:7 – And she said, “Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have given children suck? for I have born [him] a son in his old age.”

1.      If Sarah was giving suck at ninety years old the Lord would have had to restore her body to that of a younger woman in order to nurse the child.

a.      Provides more insight as to why Abimelech was stricken with her beauty at 90 years old

2.      Luke 1:54-55 – He hath holpen His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy; As He spake to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed for ever.”

a.      Holpen – ἀντιλαμβάνω antilambanō,  laid hold of for help, or taken by the hand

h.      Genesis 21:8 – And the child grew, and was weaned: and Abraham made a great feast the [same] day that Isaac was weaned.

1.      “And the child grew” - גדל gadal , to grow, become great or important, promote, make powerful, praise, magnify, do great things

a.      Exodus 2:10 - And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water. (Moses)

b.      Judges 13:24 - And the woman bare a son, and called his name Samson: and the child grew, and the LORD blessed him. (Samson)

c.      I Samuel 2:26 - And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the LORD, and also with men. (Samuel)

d.      Luke 2:40 - And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. (Jesus)

2.      Abraham is throwing a party when Isaac is weaned, why? Many things in the Old Testement are connected to the new covenant:

a.      Hebrews 5:13-14 - For every one that useth milk [is] unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, [even] those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. 

b.      Just as Abraham celebrated the fact his son was moving from milk to meat, God is eager for us to spiritually come of age so that we can digest the meat of His Word.  

                                                                                                                i.     Doing so is reason to celebrate           

II.             Expulsion of Ishmael (Genesis 21:9-21)

a.      Genesis 21:9 – And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking.

1.      Mocking - צחק tsachaq, to laugh, mock, make sport, toy with, make a toy of

a.      Very similar to Isaac’s name

b.      Probably more than just laughing at

b.      Genesis 21:10 – Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, [even] with Isaac.

1.      Was Sarah overreacting? Or did Ishmael do something a little more serious than make fun of Isaac?

2.      Jasher 21:13-15 – And when Isaac was five years old he was sitting with Ishmael at the door of the tent.  And Ishmael came to Isaac and seated opposite to him, and he took the bow and drew it and put the arrow in it, and intended to slay Isaac.  And Sarah saw the act which Ishmael desired to do to her son Isaac, and it grieved her exceedingly on account of her son, and she sent for Abraham, and said to him, Cast out this bondwoman and her son, for her son shall not be heir with my son, for thus did he seek to do unto him this day.

a.      According to Jasher, Ishmael would have been 19 years old

3.      Galatians 4:22-31 - For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. But he [who was] of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman [was] by promise. Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.  For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.  But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.   For it is written, Rejoice, [thou] barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.  Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.  But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him [that was born] after the Spirit, even so [it is] now.  Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.  So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

a.      Paul was writing to the Galatians, a majority of which were Gentile, therefore we see no difference between among the races, the only difference is those who accept Christ and those who do not.

b.      Discussed in Chapter 16

c.      Genesis 21:11– And the thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight because of his son.

1.      Abraham loved Ishmael

d.      Genesis 21:12 – And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.

1.      Seed –  זרע zera`, this is a collective noun meaning that the context indicates if it is to be used in the plural or the singular sense.  Since Isaac is singular here we know that zer’a is meant to me used in the singular context.  Paul makes it clear in Galatians 3:16 that this is meant to be read as singular.  See also Romans 9:7-8 and Hebrews 11:18.  Genesis 17:9 is therefore plural for the context would indicate such, meaning Galatians was not pointing to Genesis 17:9 but rather it was pointing to this verse.

a.      Galatians 3:16 – Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made.  He saith not, “And to seeds,” as of many; but as of one, “And to thy Seed,” Which is Christ.

b.      Romans 9:7-8 – Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, “In Isaac shall thy seed be called.” That is, they which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

                                                                                                                i.     Here Paul is referencing the verse in which seed is used in the singular form, but uses it with regard to “children of the promise” which is plural. 

                                                                                                               ii.     Counted for the seed, as if the children referenced here are singular and represent a singular seed. 

                                                                                                              iii.     We know that Christ Himself was the object in which “thy seed” of Genesis 21:12 pointed

                                                                                                             iv.     How can the children of the promise also be this seed?

                                                                                                               v.     The children of the promise are the body of Christ…

§        Romans 12:5 - So we, [being] many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

§        I Corinthians 12:27 - Now ye are the body of Christ…

§        Ephesians 3:6 - That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

2.      “Thy Seed” is a direct reference to the birth of the Christ, being singular form

e.      Genesis 21:13 – And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he [is] thy seed.

1.      More evidence that verse 12 is referencing Christ because here we see that God is giving deference to Ishmael because he is thy (Abraham’s) seed.

2.      Ishmael cannot be of Isaac, yet Ishmael will be a nation.  One of the many nations that Abraham is the patriarch.  Abraham meaning father of many nations, all of those nations did not come through Isaac, but Christ did.

f.       Genesis 21:14 – And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave [it] unto Hagar, putting [it] on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.

1.      Something seems out of line here as Abraham being a very wealthy man only gives Hagar and Ishmael a portion of bread and water

2.      Abraham gave his nephew Lot his choice of the land, but for his son nothing but bread and water.

3.      Is there more to the bread and water than meets the eye? Continue…

g.      Genesis 21:15 – And the water was spent in the bottle, and she cast the child under one of the shrubs.

1.      John 4:13-14 - Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:  But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

2.      Two things Christ is referred to is the bread of life (John 6:35) and living water (John 7:38), just so happens these are the two items that Hagar and Ishmael are given before they leave. 

h.      Genesis 21:16 – And she went, and sat her down over against [him] a good way off, as it were a bowshot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against [him], and lift up her voice, and wept.

1.      Once again Hagar cries out in despair

i.       Genesis 21:17 – And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he [is].

j.       Genesis 21:18 – Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation.

k.      Genesis 21:19 – And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink.

1.      God opened her eyes – indicates that the well was there all along she was just not able to “see” it.

2.      Was this a supernatural well that was not visible without having one’s “eyes opened” by God?

l.       Genesis 21:20 – And God was with the lad; and he grew, and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer.

1.      First reference was a bowshot in verse 16, here we see he became an archer

2.      Who else was a hunter? Nimrod and Isaac’s son Esau.  Is there any symbolism equating a bow with rebellion or weapons and rebellion?

m.    Genesis 21:21 – And he dwelt in the wilderness of Paran: and his mother took him a wife out of the land of Egypt.

1.      Paran - פארן Pa'ran, "place of caverns"

2.      Wilderness – מדבר midbar, uninhabited land, large tracts of wilderness.

a.      Genesis 16:12 - And he will be a wild man; his hand [will be] against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.