Gen 21:3 And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac.

In Genesis 21 we see joy and pain – joy for one woman and pain for another. The wait is finally over; Isaac is finally born in fulfilment of the promise. The child brings joy and laughter to Abraham and Sarah and therefore he is named Isaac which means laughter. But the birth of Isaac brings sadness to Hagar and Ishmael. For 13 years, Ishmael has been the sole heir, the apple of his father’s eyes, and the hope of his father’s dreams. But now he is set aside in favour of this newcomer Isaac (v.9, 10). Sarah has endured the mocking look from Hagar for too long (Genesis 16:4). At the feast held for the weaning of Isaac, she has her revenge. She says to Abraham: “Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac” (v.10). Abraham is plunged from the heights of joy to the depths of grief. Abraham loves Ishmael. Ishmael is every bit his flesh and blood. Ishmael by this time should be about 15 or 16 years old. They have spent many happy hours together - watching over the flocks and playing together. But now Sarah is insisting that Hagar and Ishmael must go. Abraham is heart-broken. He is in a dilemma (v.1-11). God comforts Abraham and says He will bless Ishmael and make him also a great nation because he is his seed (v.12-13). With God’s blessing, Abraham sends Hagar and Ishmael away. From a human perspective, it seems unfair to Hagar and Ishmael. Hagar did not have a choice in the matter of conceiving Ishmael with Abraham. Ishmael is just an innocent kid; a victim of the sin of Abraham and Sarah. We feel a sense of injustice for them. So why did God take Sarah’s side? God’s reason is this: “For in Isaac shall thy seed be called” (v.12). The entire scheme of redemption rests on the promised seed that will eventually bring forth the Messiah (Matthew 1:1). God, in His infinite knowledge, has chosen Isaac through whom His blessings would flow to all nations (Galatians 4:28). Like Jacob and Esau, these two brothers cannot dwell together, their descendants intermarrying one another and blur the bloodline that should bring forth the Christ. In Galatians 4:21-31, Paul uses the story of Sarah and Hagar to illustrate the results of two different covenants. Ishmael’s birth is by natural means; the human way. Isaac’s birth is by the power of faith in God’s promise. That faith becomes an example to us that we should always put our trust in the promises of God and walk by faith: “Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham” (Galatians 3:7). The story of Abraham and Sarah and Hagar tells us that God can work through any situation. Sarah should have never suggested to her husband to sleep with her maid Hagar. And Abraham should not have followed through with the plan and slept with Hagar. Furthermore, Sarah was wrong to hate Hagar and her son when they were victims of her plan. The house was in a mess because of one foolish suggestion. Still, God’s will was accomplished regardless of human frailty. God did not have a hand in Sarah’s plan. He did not cause Sarah to make the proposal. Nor did He make Abraham to listen to Sarah. Everyone acted on their free choice. Satan will always try to thwart God’s plan and prevent the Messiah from coming to this earth. But, as Jesus said: “The gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18b). The devil cannot defeat God’s plan. Sarah was working for the devil when she suggested Abraham took Hagar. God used the same situation to His advantage (Galatians 4:21-31). God always wins.