Genesis 21:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the time of which God had spoken to him.

NIV: Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him.

NASB: So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the appointed time of which God had spoken to him.

CSB: Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the appointed time God had told him.

NLT: She became pregnant, and she gave birth to a son for Abraham in his old age. This happened at just the time God had said it would.

KJV: For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.

NKJV: For Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.

God's timing is perfect. He had said within the hearing of both Abraham and Sarah that they would have a child within a year from a specific moment (Genesis 18:14). Though Abraham and Sarah had attempted to scheme a way to gain a son through another woman (Genesis 16:1–2), God specifically meant to provide them with their own natural child (Genesis 17:15–16). Despite their disbelieving laughter (Genesis 17:17; Genesis 18:12), that's exactly what happened. Not only does God keep His promises, He keeps them specifically.

Sarah bears a son to Abraham in his old age. Saying these two are in their "old age," in this situation, is quite an understatement. The following verses will reveal that Abraham is 100 years old, meaning that Sarah is right around 90. It's never too late for God to keep His word. This makes Isaac's birth miraculous, not only because Sarah had been barren her entire life, but also because of her advanced age when she conceived.

Genesis 20:1–7 describes the moment Abraham and Sarah have been waiting on for many, many years. Ever since leaving their home to begin to wander in the land of Canaan, this is a promise they have wished to see fulfilled. God had promised to make Abraham a great nation, by giving him and Sarah a naturally-born son. Finally, their first child together is born. Isaac's name means ''laughter,'' and Sarah expresses her joy at his birth. God has done the unbelievable. He has made laughter for her.

The Lord did as He had promised. Sarah, now 90 years old, gives birth to Isaac, the long-awaited child. Her joy sours, though, over a fear that Isaac might have to share an inheritance with Ishmael. In obedience to the Lord, who promises to safeguard Ishmael, Abraham sends him and his mother, Hagar, into the wilderness. God rescues them and renews His promise to make Ishmael a great nation in his own right. Meanwhile, Abimelech, king of Gerar, approaches Abraham to make a permanent treaty between them and their descendants. The agreement includes Abraham's possession of a well, at a place which will become known as Beersheba.

In the prior chapter, Abraham managed to get Sarah back from Abimelech, following his own deception and God's intervention. Here, Abraham and Sarah finally conceive a natural child. Isaac, the long-awaited child of the promise, is born. In obedience to God, Abraham sends Hagar and Ishmael away. Abimelech approaches Abraham to make a treaty, giving Abraham a permanent home in a place that becomes known as Beersheba. In the following chapter, God will test Abraham's faith and obedience, in one of Scripture's ultimate examples of trust.

The book of Genesis establishes fundamental truths about God. Among these are His role as the Creator, His holiness, His hatred of sin, His love for mankind, and His willingness to provide for our redemption. We learn not only where mankind has come from, but why the world is in its present form. The book also presents the establishment of Israel, God's chosen people. Many of the principles given in other parts of Scripture depend on the basic ideas presented here in the book of Genesis. Within the framework of the Bible, Genesis explains the bare-bones history of the universe leading up to the captivity of Israel in Egypt, setting the stage for the book of Exodus.

Accessed 5/4/2024 12:09:48 PM