May 7, 2025

DAILY BIBLE READING

Genesis 21 – Isaac’s Birth, the Expulsion of Ishmael, and Abraham’s Covenant with Abimelech

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Bible Text – Genesis 21 (KJV)

1 And the Lord visited Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did unto Sarah as he had spoken.
2 For 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 being eight days old, as God had commanded him.
5 And Abraham was an hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him.
6 And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me.
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.
8 And the child grew, and was weaned: and Abraham made a great feast the same day that Isaac was weaned.

9 And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking.
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.
11 And the thing was very grievous in Abraham’s sight because of his son.
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.
13 And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed.
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.
15 And the water was spent in the bottle, and she cast the child under one of the shrubs.
16 And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bow shot: 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.
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.
18 Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation.
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.
20 And God was with the lad; and he grew, and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer.
21 And he dwelt in the wilderness of Paran: and his mother took him a wife out of the land of Egypt.

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:
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.
24 And Abraham said, I will swear.
25 And Abraham reproved Abimelech because of a well of water, which Abimelech’s servants had violently taken away.
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.
27 And Abraham took sheep and oxen, and gave them unto Abimelech; and both of them made a covenant.
28 And Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves.
29 And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What mean these seven ewe lambs which thou hast set by themselves?
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.
31 Wherefore he called that place Beersheba; because there they sware both of them.
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.
33 And Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the Lord, the everlasting God.
34 And Abraham sojourned in the Philistines’ land many days.

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Introduction

Chapter 21 marks a turning point in Abraham’s story: after a long wait, Isaac is born and God’s promise is finally fulfilled. Yet with Isaac’s arrival comes tension in the family, as Hagar and Ishmael are sent away—and Abraham again negotiates peace with Abimelech, this time by covenant.

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Commentary

1. The Birth of Isaac (vv. 1–8)

• Fulfillment of the Promise: God acts faithfully “at the set time” (v. 2).

• Significance of the Name: “Isaac” means “laughter,” reflecting both Sarah’s joy and God’s miraculous provision.

2. The Expulsion of Ishmael (vv. 9–21)

• Threat to the Inheritance: Sarah fears Ishmael’s mockery (v. 9) and urges Abraham to protect Isaac’s line (v. 10).

• God’s Compassion for Ishmael: Though He instructs Abraham to obey Sarah, God also promises to make Ishmael a great nation (vv. 12–13).

• Mercy in the Wilderness: Hagar’s despair turns to hope when God provides water and reassurance through an angel (vv. 15–19).

3. The Covenant with Abimelech (vv. 22–34)

• Recognition of God’s Blessing: Abimelech acknowledges that “God is with thee” (v. 22).

• Sealing the Treaty: Abraham and Abimelech exchange gifts and swear an oath over a newly dug well, naming the site Beersheba (“Well of the Oath”) (vv. 27–31).

• A Sign of Peace: Abraham plants a grove and calls on “the everlasting God,” symbolizing lasting fellowship (v. 33).

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Summary

Genesis 21 vividly portrays God’s faithfulness: Isaac’s birth vindicates His promise, while the drama surrounding Ishmael underscores both judgment and mercy. Abraham’s covenant with Abimelech reaffirms his status as a peacemaker in the land.

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Message for Today

• Patience in Promise: God’s timing may seem slow, but His purposes never fail.

• Trust and Letting Go: True faith sometimes requires releasing what we love, trusting God to care for all involved.

• God’s Presence in Desolation: Even in our wilderness moments, He sees, hears, and provides (v. 17).

• Peace and Gratitude: A life of faith includes planting seeds of peace and calling on the name of the Lord.

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May 4–10, 2025

WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING

Ellen G. White │ Patriarchs and Prophets – Chapter 3

“The Temptation and the Fall”

Read online here

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Introduction

Following the perfect account of Creation in Chapter 2, Chapter 3 recounts the most tragic turning point in human history: the Fall. Amidst perfection, peace, and communion with God, the first human pair chooses disobedience. This single act unleashes a cascade of consequences—guilt, separation from God, suffering, and death. Yet even here, God’s mercy shines through: He does not abandon humanity but promises redemption.

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Commentary

1. Satan’s Purpose and Deception
   • Driven by envy, Satan seeks to lure humanity away from obedience to God.
   • He selects the most beautiful creature—the serpent—as his instrument.
   • Eve departs from Adam and the safety of their fellowship, taking the first step toward temptation.
2. Attack on God’s Word
   • Satan questions the very words of God: “Did God really say…?”
   • He lies: “You will not surely die”—the first great deception.
   • His aim: sow doubt, distrust, and rebellion against God’s character and commands.
3. The Fall
   • Eve listens to the serpent, sees the fruit, takes and eats.
   • Adam likewise eats, out of love for Eve—a tragic, deliberate choice.
   • Immediately they feel shame, fear, and guilt—they recognize their nakedness.
4. Divine Judgment
   • God seeks them: “Where are you?”
   • Adam shifts blame onto Eve—and indirectly onto God.
   • Eve blames the serpent.
   • The consequences: a curse on the serpent, pain for the woman, hardship for the man, and exile from the Tree of Life.
5. First Promise of the Gospel (v. 15)
   • The Proto-Evangelium: “He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”
   • The first announcement of the Redeemer—victory over Satan is assured.
6. Mercy Amid Judgment
   • God clothes Adam and Eve in garments of skin.
   • The Garden is barred—not merely as punishment but to prevent eternal life in sin.
   • A hope remains for restoration in the “new Eden” (Revelation 21–22).

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Summary

The Fall marks the beginning of all human suffering but also the moment when God’s mercy appears. Adam and Eve’s decision to transgress God’s command was no minor slip—it was a fundamental breach of trust and obedience. Yet God speaks not only judgment but also grace, promising a Savior.

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Application for Today

• God warns and protects but never forces—true love grants freedom.
• Sin often begins with small steps: moving away from God, doubting His word, and yielding to curiosity.
• Despite our failures, God does not give up on us. He still calls, “Where are you?”
• Jesus is the promised offspring who crushed the serpent’s head. In Him we find hope, restoration, and new life.
• Our obedience today reflects our love for God—not as a work to earn His favor, but as a response to His grace.