Genesis 21 & 22

Abraham is called the father of faith (Romans 4:11–12) because of his response to God both in leaving his homeland and receiving a son in his old age

1. Isaac’s Birth — God Keeps His Promise (vv. 1–7)

a) God fulfills His promise to and Sarah  Abraham at His set time

The Lord kept His promise despite Abraham failures

Abraham was 100 years old when his son Isaac was born

They waited 25 years for the fulfillment of the Lord’s promise

King David waited around 15 years or so from the time of being anointed and becoming king

Waiting on God often involves long seasons of trust

At the set time

Transition: But Isaac’s birth is more than a fulfilled promise—it is a picture of a greater one to come.

b)  Isaac became a wonderful picture of the Messiah to come, Jesus Christ.

· Both were specially promised sons.

· Both conceptions were miraculous.

· Both were born after a period of delay.

· Both births occurred at God’s appointed time

· Both births were accompanied by great joy

2. Hagar and Ishmael Sent Away (vv. 8–21)

a) Tension arises between and Isaac Ishmael 

Sarah demands that and Ishmael be sent away Hagar 

Abraham and Sarah in the flesh bore a son through Hagar because they doubted God and were in patient in His timing

Ismael born of the flesh and Isaac born of the promise

b) God used the incident to drive out Hagar and Ismael because they would of been a threat to the promised seed

Earlier Sarah mistreated Hagar and now Ismael was mistreating Isaac

Because God chose one son over the other, His choice had to be protected

3. Treaty with Abimelech (vv. 22–34)

a) To swear means to take an oath

Three times to indicate significance

The covenant was made and Abraham was able to settle there in peace

b) The water provided was a symbol of blessing- out of the wilderness, out of the barren land, out of the rock

c) Beersheba 

means watering place, well of underground water.

Some understand the Biblical name Beersheba as well of seven or well of the oath. 

Beersheba would become a notable place in Israel’s continuing history and continues today as an important city in modern Israel (Beer-Sheva).

· Abraham’s son Isaac dug this well again, and he built an altar in Beersheba (Genesis 26:23-33).

· Abraham’s grandson Jacob stopped in Beersheba as he left the promised land (Genesis 28:10-15, 46:1-7).

· When Israel took possession of the promised land, Beersheba became the territory of the tribe of Simeon and Judah (Joshua 15:28, 19:2).

· Samuel’s sons were judges in Beersheba (1 Samuel 8:2).

· King Saul fortified Beersheba in his battles against the Amalekites (1 Samuel 14:48, 15:2–9).

· The prophet Elijah found refuge at Beersheba when Jezebel ordered him killed (1 Kings 19:3).

· The prophet Amos mentioned Beersheba in regard to idolatry (Amos 5:5, 8:14).

1. The Test of Abraham (vv. 1–2)

God tests Abraham

He is told to sacrifice his son Isaac

The location: the region of Moriah

Key Theme: 👉 Faith is tested through obedience

Hebrews 11:17–19 “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,” concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.”

Teaching Point:

Tests reveal the depth of trust in God, not to inform God—but to shape us

Discussion Question:

Why do you think God tests faith?

2. Abraham’s Obedient Journey (vv. 3–10)

Abraham responds immediately—no recorded hesitation

Travels three days to the mountain

Tells servants: “We will worship and then we will come back”

Isaac carries the wood; Abraham carries the knife and fire

Isaac asks about the lamb; Abraham responds: “God will provide”

Abraham prepares the altar and binds Isaac

Teaching Points:

True faith acts even when it doesn’t fully understand

Abraham demonstrates trust in God’s character

3. God Provides a Substitute (vv. 11–14)

The Angel of the Lord stops Abraham

Abraham’s faith is confirmed

A ram is provided as a substitute sacrifice

Abraham names the place “The Lord Will Provide” (Yahweh-Yireh)

Key Themes: 👉 God’s provision 👉 Substitutionary sacrifice

Teaching Points:

God never intended Isaac to die—He intended to reveal something deeper

This moment foreshadows future redemption

4. God Reaffirms His Promise (vv. 15–19)

God restates His covenant with Abraham

Blessing, multiplication, and global impact promised

“Through your offspring all nations will be blessed”

Key Themes: 👉 Covenant faithfulness 👉 Blessing through obedience

Teaching Points:

Obedience positions us to experience God’s promises

God’s plan extends beyond one person to all nations

5. Transition: Nahor’s Family (vv. 20–24)

A genealogy introduces Rebekah

Sets up the next chapter in God’s plan

Key Theme: 👉 God is always preparing what’s next