When the water in the skin was gone, she left the boy under one of the bushes. When the water in the skin was goneThis phrase marks a critical moment of desperation and need. The "water in the skin" refers to the water supply that Hagar and her son, Ishmael, had as they wandered in the wilderness. In the Hebrew context, water is often symbolic of life and sustenance. The depletion of water signifies a dire situation, emphasizing human vulnerability and the need for divine intervention. Historically, water skins were made from animal hides and were essential for survival in arid regions. This moment foreshadows God's provision and care, reminding believers of His faithfulness even in times of scarcity. she put the boy under one of the bushes
This action by Hagar is both practical and symbolic. The Hebrew word for "bushes" can also be translated as "shrubs" or "small trees," indicating a place of minimal shelter. Hagar's decision to place Ishmael under a bush reflects her maternal instinct to protect her child from the harsh desert sun. It also signifies a moment of surrender, as she distances herself from the boy, unable to bear witnessing his suffering. This act of placing Ishmael under a bush is a poignant reminder of human limitations and the need to rely on God's providence. In the broader scriptural context, it sets the stage for God's miraculous intervention, highlighting His compassion and the fulfillment of His promises to Hagar and Ishmael. Persons / Places / Events 1. HagarAn Egyptian maidservant of Sarah, Abraham's wife, and the mother of Ishmael. She finds herself in a desperate situation in the wilderness. 2. IshmaelThe son of Abraham and Hagar. He is a young boy at this point, facing a life-threatening situation due to lack of water. 3. The Wilderness of BeershebaA desert region where Hagar and Ishmael wander after being sent away by Abraham. It symbolizes desolation and testing. 4. The Water SkinRepresents the limited human resources and the eventual depletion of what Hagar relied on for survival. 5. The BushA place of temporary shelter and a symbol of Hagar's despair as she distances herself from Ishmael, unable to watch him die. Teaching Points Dependence on GodHuman resources are finite, but God's provision is infinite. Like Hagar, we must learn to rely on God when our own resources run dry. God's FaithfulnessDespite the dire circumstances, God remains faithful to His promises. He hears the cries of the afflicted and provides in unexpected ways. Hope in DesperationEven in moments of despair, God is present. Hagar's account reminds us that God sees and hears us, offering hope and deliverance. Parental Responsibility and TrustHagar's actions reflect a deep maternal instinct, yet she must trust God with her son's life. Parents today are called to care for their children while trusting God with their futures. Spiritual WildernessTimes of spiritual dryness can lead to deeper encounters with God. The wilderness is not just a place of testing but also of divine revelation and growth. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Hagar's experience in the wilderness challenge us to trust God in our own "desert" experiences? 2. In what ways can we see God's faithfulness in our lives, even when our resources seem depleted? 3. How does the account of Hagar and Ishmael encourage us to respond to situations where we feel abandoned or hopeless? 4. What parallels can we draw between Hagar's account and Jesus' teachings on God's provision in the New Testament? 5. How can we apply the lessons from Hagar's account to our roles as parents or mentors, especially in trusting God with the lives of those we care for? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 16Provides background on Hagar's first encounter with God in the wilderness, highlighting God's promise to her and Ishmael. Psalm 34:18Relates to God's closeness to the brokenhearted, as Hagar experiences God's intervention in her distress. Matthew 6:25-34Jesus' teaching on God's provision, which parallels God's care for Hagar and Ishmael in their time of need. Galatians 4:22-31Paul uses the account of Hagar and Sarah allegorically to discuss the difference between living under the law and living under the promise. People Abimelech, Abraham, Hagar, Isaac, Phichol, SarahPlaces Beersheba, Egypt, Gerar, ParanTopics Bottle, Boy, Bushes, Cast, Child, Consumed, Exhausted, Flask, Lad, Placeth, Shrubs, Skin, Spent, TreeDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 21:14-15 5234 bottle Genesis 21:14-19 4293 water Genesis 21:15-16 5619 measures, distance and area
5831 depression Library Compassion for Souls
Behold the compassion of a mother for her child expiring with thirst, and remember that such a compassion ought all Christians to feel towards souls that are perishing for lack of Christ, perishing eternally, perishing without hope of salvation. If the mother lifted up her voice arid wept, so also should we; and if the contemplation of her dying, child was all too painful for her, so may the contemplation of the wrath to come, which is to pass upon every soul that dies impenitent, become too painful …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871Therefore, if we Compare the Things Themselves, we May no Way Doubt that The...
28. Therefore, if we compare the things themselves, we may no way doubt that the chastity of continence is better than marriage chastity, whilst yet both are good: but when we compare the persons, he is better, who hath a greater good than another. Further, he who hath a greater of the same kind, hath also that which is less; but he, who only hath what is less, assuredly hath not that which is greater. For in sixty, thirty also are contained, not sixty also in thirty. But not to work from out that …
St. Augustine—On the Good of Marriage The Gospel Feast
"When Jesus then lifted up His eyes, and saw a great company come unto Him, He saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread that these may eat?"--John vi. 5. After these words the Evangelist adds, "And this He said to prove him, for He Himself knew what He would do." Thus, you see, our Lord had secret meanings when He spoke, and did not bring forth openly all His divine sense at once. He knew what He was about to do from the first, but He wished to lead forward His disciples, and to arrest and …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII Of Bearing the Cross --One Branch of Self-Denial.
The four divisions of this chapter are,--I. The nature of the cross, its necessity and dignity, sec. 1, 2. II. The manifold advantages of the cross described, sec. 3-6. III. The form of the cross the most excellent of all, and yet it by no means removes all sense of pain, sec. 7, 8. IV. A description of warfare under the cross, and of true patience, (not that of philosophers,) after the example of Christ, sec. 9-11. 1. THE pious mind must ascend still higher, namely, whither Christ calls his disciples …
Archpriest John Iliytch Sergieff—On the Christian Life But if Moreover any not Having Charity, which Pertaineth to the Unity of Spirit...
23. But if moreover any not having charity, which pertaineth to the unity of spirit and the bond of peace whereby the Catholic Church is gathered and knit together, being involved in any schism, doth, that he may not deny Christ, suffer tribulations, straits, hunger, nakedness, persecution, perils, prisons, bonds, torments, swords, or flames, or wild beasts, or the very cross, through fear of hell and everlasting fire; in nowise is all this to be blamed, nay rather this also is a patience meet to …
St. Augustine—On Patience The Annunciation of Jesus the Messiah, and the Birth of his Forerunner.
FROM the Temple to Nazareth! It seems indeed most fitting that the Evangelic story should have taken its beginning within the Sanctuary, and at the time of sacrifice. Despite its outward veneration for them, the Temple, its services, and specially its sacrifices, were, by an inward logical necessity, fast becoming a superfluity for Rabbinism. But the new development, passing over the intruded elements, which were, after all, of rationalistic origin, connected its beginning directly with the Old Testament …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
Syria: the part played by it in the ancient world--Babylon and the first Chaldaean empire--The dominion of the Hyksos: Ahmosis. Some countries seem destined from their origin to become the battle-fields of the contending nations which environ them. Into such regions, and to their cost, neighbouring peoples come from century to century to settle their quarrels and bring to an issue the questions of supremacy which disturb their little corner of the world. The nations around are eager for the possession …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 4 The Holiness of God
The next attribute is God's holiness. Exod 15:51. Glorious in holiness.' Holiness is the most sparkling jewel of his crown; it is the name by which God is known. Psa 111:1. Holy and reverend is his name.' He is the holy One.' Job 6:60. Seraphims cry, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of his glory.' Isa 6:6. His power makes him mighty, his holiness makes him glorious. God's holiness consists in his perfect love of righteousness, and abhorrence of evil. Of purer eyes than …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Genesis 21:15 NIVGenesis 21:15 NLTGenesis 21:15 ESVGenesis 21:15 NASBGenesis 21:15 KJV
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