Genesis 21

Genesis 21

In this chapter Sarah has had a child Isaac and Abraham is 100 years old.  Isaac is weaned and Abraham has a party.  At the party Sarah sees her handmaid and Ishmael.

10 Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this handmaid and her son. For the son of this handmaid shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac. 11 And the thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight on account of his son.

So now that Sarah has had Isaac she wants to throw her handmaid and her child to the curb.  Of course Abraham obliges her request.

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 gave her the child, and sent her away. And she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beer-sheba. 15 And the water in the bottle was spent, 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 bowshot.  For she said, Let me not look upon the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lifted up her voice, and wept.

So basically Abraham sends this woman and her child, his child, out to the wilderness with bread and a bottle of water.  She goes until they run out of said provisions and then prepares to die.  If you're Abraham could you do this?  Well thank goodness God always has a plan.

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 thy 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.

Thank goodness God always has a plan... for the handmaid and child's sake for sure.  Left to Sarah and Abraham, these two would have died.  Definately a case of what Not to do! ... thank God for grace and mercy.