In Genesis 21, Sarah, in her old age, gives birth the promised son, Isaac. God brought about the fulfilment of the promise made long ago.
Genesis 21 takes the reader through the time that Isaac was weaned. After this event a feast was thrown and Sarah caught Ishmael mocking Isaac and demanded both he and Hagar were sent away. Abraham was upset by this turn of events because Ishmael was also his son. God gave Abraham security that Ishmael too would be a great nation. So Hagar and Ishmael left. Once again, Hagar is the desert in desperation. Once again God comes to the slave woman and promises her that He is with her and saves their lives. So God is with Ishmael in the desert.
Lasting, Genesis chapter 21 ends with Abraham's political dealings with the local peoples.
Reading and reflecting on these passages today gives me peace. I believe that God bring all things about in His time. Right now, that is enough to survive today.
Further thoughts, in addition to the birth of Isaac, we again see God's love and grace in Hagar's life. He comes to her and is with her son as he grows up. He blesses this family that came from an abused slave. God is a God of mercy and compassion. We also see that God was beginning to establish Abraham as a political leader within the area, further fulfilling His promise.
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