What does Genesis 21:3 Mean?

Study Notes

Sarah
Sarah, type of grace, "the freewoman," and of the "Jerusalem which is above." See Genesis 17:15-19 ; Galatians 4:22-31

2 Isaac is typical in fourfold way:

(1) of the Church as composed of the spiritual children of Abraham Galatians 4:28 .

(2) of Christ as the Son "obedient unto death" Genesis 22:1-10 ; Philippians 2:5-8 .

(3) of Christ as the Bridegroom of a called-out bride see Genesis 24; also, "Church," Matthew 16:18 , .

(4) of the new nature of the believer as "born after the Spirit" Galatians 4:29 .

church

2 (Greek - ἀπόλλυμι (ek="out of," kaleo ="to call"), an assembly of called out ones). The word is used of any assembly; the word itself implies no more, as, e.g., the town-meeting at Ephesus Acts 19:39 and Israel, called out of Egypt and assembled in the wilderness Acts 7:38 . Israel was a true "church," but not in any sense the N.T. church--the only point of similarity being that both were "called out" and by the same God. All else is contrast.

(See Scofield " Acts 7:38 ") See Scofield " Hebrews 12:23 "

hell See note, (See Scofield " Luke 16:23 ")

Peter

There is the Greek a play upon the words, "thou art Peter petros-- literally 'a little rock', and upon this rock Petra I will build my church." He does not promise to build His church upon Peter, but upon Himself, as Peter is careful to tell us ( 1 Peter 2:4-9 )

church

2 (Greek - ἀπόλλυμι (ek="out of," kaleo ="to call"), an assembly of called out ones). The word is used of any assembly; the word itself implies no more, as, e.g., the town-meeting at Ephesus Acts 19:39 and Israel, called out of Egypt and assembled in the wilderness Acts 7:38 . Israel was a true "church," but not in any sense the N.T. church--the only point of similarity being that both were "called out" and by the same God. All else is contrast.

(See Scofield " Acts 7:38 ") See Scofield " Hebrews 12:23 "

hell See note, (See Scofield " Luke 16:23 ")

Context Summary

God is faithful. Heaven and earth may pass, but His word cannot fail. We may wait until all human hopes have died, and then, at "God's set time," the child is born. Abraham laughed at the first announcement of this event, Genesis 17:17. Later, as Sarah listened to the conversation between her husband and his mysterious guests, she laughed with incredulity, Genesis 18:12-15. But now, in the joy of long-deferred motherhood, she found that "the Lord had prepared laughter for her," and so named her child Isaac. See r.v. margin. Be of good cheer. The Lord has prepared laughter for you also, some few miles ahead on life's journey. Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright. O thou afflicted, He shall lay thy stones in fair colors! And when thy joy comes, rejoice in it. "Thou shalt rejoice in every good thing which the Lord thy God giveth thee." But in those hours think kindly of others, and do not forget that some, like Hagar, may be disappointed by what gives thee joy! [source]

Chapter Summary: Genesis 21

¹  Isaac is born, and circumcised
⁶  Sarah's joy
⁸  Isaac is weaned
⁹  Hagar and Ishmael sent away
¹⁵  Hagar in distress
¹⁷  The angel relieves and comforts her
²³  Abimelech's covenant with Abraham at Beersheba