Week 4 Day 1

Genesis 21

Key Text  

“But God said to Abraham, ‘Be not displeased because of the boy and because of your slave woman. Whatever Sarah says to you, do as she tells you, for through Isaac shall your offspring be named.’” Genesis 21:12

 Covenant Fulfillment Begins: The Birth of Isaac   

Again we cannot miss the focus of the promise. Abraham would be blessed in his progeny; they would become great nations. But the focus was on Isaac, the son of the promise, the child who was given to show that no word of God is void of power. God made that clear when Abraham was required to send Ishmael away: “In Isaac shall thy seed be called” (Gen. 21:12, KJV). Isaac, the promised son, was the beloved son. Indeed, he may be spoken of as Abraham’s only son, for he was the heir of the promise.

In the fullness of time, God’s promised Son was born. When the angel announced the wonderful birth to Mary, she did not laugh, but whispered in amazement: “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” (Luke 1:34). The answer she received was the same one that God had given to Sarah: “No word is impossible with God!” (Luke 1:37; Gen. 18:14). Need we wonder that Jesus should say, “Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad”? (John 8:56, KJV). Abraham’s strengthened faith clung to the promise, and his joy welcomed the birth of Laughter. So, too, he could look ahead to the day when all of God’s promise would be fulfilled in his Seed.

Taken from Unfolding Mystery by Edmund Clowney ISBN 978-1-5968-892-5  pages 54-55. Used with permission from P&R Publishing Co. P.O.Box 817 Phillipsburg N.J. 08865  www.prpbooks.com.

Connection with Newer Testament  

Romans 9:6-9

For the Kids

Make a promise to your children about something fun you will do for them sometime this week (two days from now, but don’t tell them that). Explain that a promise is a guarantee that you will follow through, even when they don’t see you actively working on it. Explain that we can be certain of God’s promises (far more than a human promise), even when we don’t see how he will bring them about.

Prayer Prompts  

1. Do you trust the Lord even when he doesn’t seem to be working on your timetable, perhaps even when it seems by all human means impossible for him to be faithful to you? Ask the Lord for faith to trust him when your logic tells you otherwise.

2. Yet again, God is faithful. When, again, it looks as if the seed of woman might be defeated, the Lord provides. He is faithful to Abraham, providing the miracle life of Isaac when Abraham’s body was as good as dead. The Lord fulfills his promises. Praise him for his faithfulness.