Get up, lift up the boy, and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation." Get upThis phrase is a call to action, urging Hagar to rise from her despair. In Hebrew, the word used is "קוּם" (qum), which often signifies not just a physical rising but a spiritual or emotional awakening. It is a divine encouragement, reminding us that God often calls us to rise above our circumstances, trusting in His promises and provision. lift up the boy
The Hebrew word for "lift up" is "נָשָׂא" (nasa), which means to carry or bear. This action signifies a mother's responsibility and care, but also a deeper spiritual act of faith. By lifting up Ishmael, Hagar is symbolically lifting her concerns to God, trusting in His promise for her son's future. and take him by the hand
This phrase emphasizes guidance and support. The act of taking someone by the hand is intimate and protective, suggesting that God desires us to walk closely with those we are entrusted to care for. It also reflects God's own guidance, as He leads us through life's challenges. for I will make him into a great nation
This promise is a reiteration of God's covenantal faithfulness. The Hebrew word for "make" is "שָׂם" (sam), which implies establishing or setting in place. God's assurance to Hagar is not just about survival but about a future filled with purpose and legacy. The phrase "great nation" echoes God's earlier promises to Abraham, highlighting the inclusivity of God's blessings and His sovereign plan that extends beyond human limitations. Persons / Places / Events 1. HagarAn Egyptian servant of Sarah, Abraham's wife, and the mother of Ishmael. She finds herself in the wilderness with her son, Ishmael, after being sent away by Abraham. 2. IshmaelThe son of Abraham and Hagar. He is a key figure in this passage as God promises to make him into a great nation. 3. The Wilderness of BeershebaThe location where Hagar and Ishmael find themselves after being sent away. It is a place of desolation and despair, yet also a place where God’s provision is revealed. 4. God's PromiseThe event of God reaffirming His promise to Hagar regarding Ishmael, ensuring her of His plans for Ishmael's future. 5. Divine InterventionThe moment when God hears the boy's cries and provides guidance and reassurance to Hagar, demonstrating His faithfulness and care. Teaching Points God's Faithfulness to His PromisesDespite the circumstances, God remains faithful to His promises. He reassures Hagar of His plans for Ishmael, reminding us that God’s promises are steadfast. Divine Provision in DesperationIn moments of despair, like Hagar's in the wilderness, God provides. This encourages believers to trust in God's provision even when situations seem hopeless. The Importance of ObedienceHagar is instructed to "get up" and take action. This highlights the importance of obedience and taking steps of faith in response to God’s guidance. God's Care for All PeopleGod’s promise to make Ishmael a great nation shows His care extends beyond the chosen line of Isaac, emphasizing His love and plans for all people. Bible Study Questions 1. How does God’s promise to Hagar in Genesis 21:18 reflect His character and faithfulness? 2. In what ways can we see God’s provision in our own "wilderness" experiences, and how can we respond in faith? 3. How does the account of Hagar and Ishmael challenge or affirm your understanding of God’s care for all people, regardless of their background? 4. What steps of obedience might God be calling you to take in response to His promises in your life? 5. How can the account of Hagar and Ishmael inform our understanding of God’s promises in the New Testament, particularly in relation to Galatians 4:22-31? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 16This chapter provides background on Hagar and Ishmael's account, including the initial promise God made to Hagar about her son. Genesis 17God’s covenant with Abraham, where He promises that Ishmael will be blessed and become a great nation, paralleling the promise in Genesis 21:18. Psalm 34:17This verse speaks to God hearing the cries of the righteous, similar to how He hears Ishmael's cries in the wilderness. Galatians 4:22-31Paul references Hagar and Sarah to illustrate the difference between living under the law and living under the promise, highlighting the spiritual significance of Ishmael and Isaac. People Abimelech, Abraham, Hagar, Isaac, Phichol, SarahPlaces Beersheba, Egypt, Gerar, ParanTopics Arise, Arms, Boy, Child, Fast, Hold, Lad, Lay, Lift, Nation, Rise, YouthDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 21:14-19 4293 water 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 21:18 NIVGenesis 21:18 NLTGenesis 21:18 ESVGenesis 21:18 NASBGenesis 21:18 KJV
Genesis 21:18 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
