Old Testament Studies

The Birth of Isaac - After such a long wait, the promised one is born!

By Robert C. Crowder

Genesis; Chapter 21:  The Birth of Isaac

Finally

The chapter starts out saying that the LORD visited Sarah and Sarah conceived and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.  Now mind you this is 25 years after the LORD made the promise to Abraham and Sarah.  Twenty-five years later.  How many of us have waited on the Lord for more than a couple of days and when the prayer isn't answered we quickly justify the prayers not being answered by saying it must not be of the Lord.  I think of my life and what has happened in the past twenty-five years and am amazed that Abraham and Sarah kept the faith.

In Hebrews chapter eleven, that foundational passage on faith, verses 9-11 we read By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.  By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:  For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.  Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.  Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.

As the story continues we see that two things happen without much fanfare.  It is just a simple telling of the acts of Abraham.  First Abraham calls his name Isaac and then on the eighth day Abraham circumcises him.  The passage says ..as God had commanded him.

When the LORD was teaching Abraham about his promise to him and his seed after him, he required that all men must be circumcised.  Genesis chapter 17 verse 12 reads And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.

In Genesis chapter 17 verse 19 God told Abraham Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.

How sweet it is to see Abraham and Sarah do the right thing after all the lies, half truths, lack of faith and trying to do things in their own power that they just simply followed the commandments of God.

I remember the joy of the birth of each of my children and grandchildren.  What a special time when you hold that newborn for the very first time.  How light.  How perfect.  How amazing that everything works.  The tiny fingers clamp on to your finger so tightly.  The eyes trying to focus search out the objects they don't understand yet.  The tiny body simply works!  How truly amazing!

The writers of Psalms captures this feeling very well. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.  Psalms 139:14.

Chapter eight verses three through four  When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him?

Imagine the pure joy of this birth.  Abraham was one hundred and Sarah was ninety.  Her time has come and the promise is born.  Sarah sums up her pent up emotions in verses six and seven.  Listen to her heart felt tribute to God.  And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me.  And she said, Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have given children suck? for I have born him a son in his old age. 

Can't you see the whole camp anxiously waiting for the birth?  You can see with the minds eye those gathered were fearful of complications for both the unborn child as well as for Sarah because she is so old, well past child bearing.  Each man, woman and child is gathered within hearing distance waiting the long wait.  Suddenly a small cry is heard and there is jubilation in the camp when word is passed it is a boy as promised!  Both mother and son are doing well.  Smiles, cheers and relief flood through the camp.  Celebration breaks out and food is prepared.  What could have been a dark day for this community is suddenly changed with the cry of the little one and the pronouncement that all is well.  It is a glorious day.

Don't you know that during the aftermath of the birth, that both Abraham and Sarah were reminded of Gods promise, their failures and their scheming?  In there arms was the promised one.  You can see the smiles on their faces as they now can rest in the arms of God.

Let me also say, I think that you could see the smile on Gods face too.  For his Son would come out of that lineage.  His Son would also be born when the time was right and from an astonishing birth.  Yes, there was joy in the camp and in heaven this day. 

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,  Luke 1:68 

ã 2002 bobsbiblestudies