1/15 Genesis 21 - The Miracle Child

The birth of Isaac was the fulfillment of a 25 years wait for Abraham and Sarah; and yet, this fulfillment of God's promises sets up several other key events in the Bible. So join us as we continue to explore God's Word and how its message fits together and even applies to our lives today! 

DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS:

Genesis 21 1.    What miracle happens in Genesis 21? Why does this miracle help us understand the message of Genesis 22 when God calls Abraham to offer up Isaac? 
2.    What were God’s promises to Abraham in the preceding chapters and why was the birth of Isaac a necessary step in bringing about the fulfillment of those promises? 
3.    How was this miracle fulfilled in both Abraham’s and Sarah’s life? How old were they at the time of Isaac’s birth?
4.    How long did it take between God’s first promises to Abraham back in Genesis 12 and their fulfillment here in chapter 21? How do you think Abraham and Sarah felt during that time? What kinds of things do you think they were telling themselves as they waited for the Lord to fulfill His promises? How might you have been working through such a long delay?
5.    Back in Genesis 16, Abraham had a son with Hagar named Ishmael. How was Ishmael’s conception different than Isaac’s? What importance does that difference have in the identity and role of the children of Israel? 
6.    What was Sarah’s response to Ishmael’s mocking in verse 10? What was the impact of her response on Hagar and Ishmael’s life? How old did the study suggest that Ishmael was? Why would this be different than Abraham abandoning a child? 
7.    After Hagar and Ishmael leave Abraham’s household, the Lord visits her in her distress. The study explained part of the comfort and encouragement the Lord gave to her was by clarifying what resources and solutions were within her reach. What were they? How can this help us in our own prayers when we cry out to the Lord in our own times of distress? 
8.    The study mentioned that as people grew in their understanding of God, it changed how they referred to Him. Melchizedek called upon God as “El Elyon” meaning “God most High” in Genesis 14:19. Hagar called upon God as “El Roi” meaning “the God who sees” in Genesis 16:13. Abraham calls upon Him as “El Olam” meaning “The Everlasting God” here in Genesis 21. Which of these names has the most significance to you and why?  

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