Genesis 21:1-18

The Biblical Illustrator - Genesis 21:16

Genesis 21:16Let me not see the death of the childPhysical and spiritual life contrastedI.THE CIRCUMSTANCE OF CHILDREN DYING BEFORE THEIR PARENTS. A common event. This fact shows--1. That the Ruler of the world does not treat man here according to his character. 2. That the youngest, as well as the oldest, should live in constant preparation for the change. 3. That parents should not centre their affection upon their children. II. THE PARENTAL DISTRESS WHICH SUCH AN EVENT PRODUCES. Like the... read more

Joseph Exell

The Biblical Illustrator - Genesis 21:17

Genesis 21:17And God heard the voice of the ladPrayerA minister once said to a boy, “Can you pray?How did you pray?” He said, “Sir, I begged.” He could not have used a better word; praying is begging of God. Prayer is very much like a bow. The arrow is a promise; the string is faith. You use your faith, and with it send a promise up to the skies. There are a great many things to think of in prayer. Let me tell you of one or two. 1. You should always address God by one of His names or titles, in... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Genesis 21:1

Gen 21:1 And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken. Ver. 1. And the Lord visited Sarah. ] God pays not his people with words only, as Sertorius did his soldiers, a He fools them not off with fair promises, b as Ptolemy (surnamed therefore Dωσων ) did his favourites; but is real, yea, royal in his promises and performances. Of many promisers it may be said, as Tertullian of the peacock, all in changeable colours: as oft changed as moved. Italians... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Genesis 21:2

Gen 21:2 For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him. Ver. 2. For Sarah conceived. ] By the force of her faith, though at first she faltered. Heb 11:11 And bare Abraham a son in his old age. ] Beatae senectutis et emeritae fidei filium , as one well calleth Isaac. a St Paul, for this, saith he was "born after the Spirit". Gal 4:29 a Bucholcer. read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Genesis 21:3

Gen 21:3 And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac. Ver. 3. And Abraham called the name, &c. ] A ridiculous name, but such as God had imposed. All God’s ways are foolishness to the world, - Christ and all. But - as old men use to say to young - they think us fools, we know them to be so. It will not be long ere they shall wail and howl out, Nos insensati , we fools held their life madness, &c. Say therefore with David, If this be to... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Genesis 21:4

Gen 21:4 And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old, as God had commanded him. Ver. 4. And Abraham circumcised his son. ] At circumcision, as now at baptism, names were given. Let them be such as are significant, and may immind us of some good, either person or thing; all will be found little enough, Optima nomina, non appellando fieri mala, faenerator Alfius dixisse verissime fertur . a We read of a good woman, that had named her three daughters, Faith, Hope, and Charity.... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Genesis 21:5

Gen 21:5 And Abraham was an hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him. Ver. 5. And Abraham was a hundred years old. ] After twenty years’ praying, and waiting the fulfilling of the promise; besides thirteen of those years’ silence, for aught we read, after the promise of a child. This was a sore trial; but God knew him to be armour of proof, and therefore tried him thus with musket-shot. Well might the apostle say, "Ye have need of patience, that after ye have done the will of... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Genesis 21:6

Gen 21:6 And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, [so that] all that hear will laugh with me. Ver. 6. God hath made me to laugh. ] "A wise son maketh a glad father". Pro 10:1 Monstri autem simil est, quando pro risu sunt fletus, sunt flagellum . And yet this is many a good man’s case. How many parents are put to wish Moses’ wish, Num 11:15 "Lord, if I have found favour in thy sight, kill me, that I behold not my misery!" Had he lived to see what ways his grandchild Jonathan took, what a... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Genesis 21:7

Gen 21:7 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. Ver. 7. That Sarah should have given children suck. ] So she had a double blessing, - of the womb, and of the breasts. Milk she had at those years, and great store of it too: whence she is said to "give children suck," not a child only. She could have nursed another for a need, besides her own. Note, that though she were a great lady, yet she was a... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Genesis 21:8

Gen 21:8 And the child grew, and was weaned: and Abraham made a great feast the [same] day that Isaac was weaned. Ver. 8. And Abraham made a great feast. ] A laudable custom, saith Cajetan, that the beginning of the eating of the firstborn should be celebrated with a feast. St Augustine observeth here, that this solemnity at the weaning of Isaac, was a type of our spiritual regeneration: at, and after which, the faithful keep a continual feast, a "Let us keep the festivity, εωρταζωμεν 1Co... read more

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