1 The Lord kept his word and did for Sarah exactly what he had promised. 2 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. 3 And Abraham named their son Isaac. 4 Eight days after Isaac was born, Abraham circumcised him as God had commanded. 5 Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born.

6 And Sarah declared, “God has brought me laughter. All who hear about this will laugh with me. 7 Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse a baby? Yet I have given Abraham a son in his old age!”

Genesis 21:1-7 (NLT)

Quick Review

Abraham is 100 years old now and Sarah is 90. Let’s review Abraham’s life briefly to set the context for this monumental moment. We first met him when he was 75, when he received the call to leave for a land he didn’t know and, that God would bless him with many children.

• Abram’s obedience to God to leave Ur and head toward Canaan. Gen 11:27—12:9
• Abram in Egypt and the deception regarding Sarah as his sister Gen 12:10-20
• Abram’s separation from his nephew Lot – who chose the “better” land Gen 13
• Abram’s military victory to recover Lot and his tithe to Melchizedek Gen 14
• The Abrahamic covenant where God promised not only a son but descendents like the stars Gen 15
• The birth of Ishmael through Hagar; Abraham and Sarah’s attempt to “help” God Gen 16
• The covenant of circumcision to mark Abraham’s faith Gen 17
• God and two angels visit Abraham to renew the promise of a son Gen 18:1-15
• God tells of Sodom and Gamorrah’s destruction; Abraham intercedes for the righteous (Lot) Gen 18:16-33
• The destruction of Sodom and saving of Lot Gen 19
• Abraham’s sojourn at Gerar and repeat of the deception regarding Sarah Gen 20

Monumental Moment

The time we (especially Abraham and Sarah) have all been waiting for has come. Twenty-five years of promise, trials, failures and we’ve arrived. What stands out in this passage? God is faithful. He is faithful to His promises. Even though man fails, God is faithful. The Lord kept HIs word…as promised…at just the time God had said.

There is similarity with the birth of Jesus, The Son of Promise. We’ll see this even more in the next chapter.

RЯeflection

• “Some promises of God are conditional and depend on something we must do. Other promises of God are unconditional, and God will fulfill them not because of what we do, but because of who He is.” (enduringword.com)
• Is there something you need to wholeheartedly trust God for? Remember He wants to do more than you can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20).