Unit 2: The Source of Justice
Hagar and Ishmael Not Forgotten | Bible Background • GENESIS 21:8–21 | Devotional Reading • LUKE 2:52
AIM FOR CHANGE
By the end of this lesson, we will DISCOVER how God was with Hagar and Ishmael; BELIEVE that God is at work, even in the midst of hopeless situations; and TRUST in God’s presence and provision, even when experiencing injustice.
IN FOCUS
IN FOCUS
Carol slowly opened the envelope. She already knew what was inside: the same birthday card and $100 check that her father sent her every year since she had turned thirteen.
Her father had never really been a part of her life. Carol prayed often that he would take more of an interest in her, maybe even attend church with her. She tried to wait patiently for God’s timing, but a part of her resented this annual token “gift” from him. Carol’s father and mother had dated in high school and married shortly after that. When Carol’s mother became pregnant, her father had broken all ties. Not long after, he married again, and now lived a happy little life with his new wife, their two daughters, and a dog in the suburbs.
He sent regular child support payments, but rarely visited Carol, even though they lived in the same city. If they happened to bump into one another at stores or on the street, he would say hello and then claim to have to hurry off somewhere. When she graduated from high school, he had sent a note congratulating her and a check. Friends had told her that he attended the graduations of both of his other daughters and had showered them with floral bouquets.
After years of scraping together enough for tuition, Carol was one semester away from finishing college and graduating with honors. She already knew that her father would have some excuse for not attending. She knew there would probably be another note and a check.
How do you avoid bitterness while looking forward to God’s timing?
KJV Genesis 21:8 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.