Day 6 – A Year in the Bible – Genesis 16-18
GENESIS 16 – To Hagar a Promise
Genesis 16 tells how Sarai, who was impatient at being barren, gave her handmaiden Hagar to Abram to bear a child. Hagar conceived a son, then despised Sarai, and fled. Being found by an angel, Hagar was instructed to return and was promised many descendants, with a son named Ishmael which means “God seest me.”
To Hagar – I Will Multiply Thy Seed Exceedingly
And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude. And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction. And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man’s hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren. And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me? – Genesis 16:10-13
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GENESIS 17 – To Abram a Covenant; To Sarai a Son
Genesis 17 details God’s covenant with Abram. God changed his name to Abraham. God promised him countless descendants and the land of Canaan. Circumcision was the eternal sign of this everlasting promise for all males in his household. Sarai’s name was changed to Sarah and their future son, Isaac, would be the heir.
To Abram – Thy Name Shall Be Abraham – a Father of Many Nations
And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly. And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying, As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee. And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God. – Genesis 17:1-8
To Sarai – Thy Name Shall Be Sarah – A Mother of Nations
And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be. And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her. Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear? – Genesis 17:15-17
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GENESIS 18
Genesis 18 tells of three divine visitors appearing to Abraham, who shows them great hospitality by offering them a meal. During the visit they promise that Sarah will bear a son leading Sarah to laugh in disbelief. This prompts God to ask, “Is anything too hard for the LORD?” The chapter also detail Abraham’s negotiation with God pleading for the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham asked God to spare them if even ten righteous people were found, demonstrating God’s justice and mercy.
Sarah Laughed
And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my Lord being old also? And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old? Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son. Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh. – Genesis 18:10-15
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