What does Genesis 21:6 Mean?

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