Friday 6 November 2026
- Bible Book:
- Genesis
Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. Now Sarah said, "God has brought laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me." And she said, "Who would ever have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age." (vs 5-7)
Background
Finally, after many years of waiting for God’s promise to be fulfilled, today’s story tells of the miraculous birth of Isaac to Abraham and Sarah. A year earlier, Sarah laughs in disbelief when the child is again promised to her. Today she laughs with joy, and her child is named Isaac, meaning ‘he will laugh’.
If you have ever found life complicated and messy, you are in good company. Isaac is not Abraham’s first son: lacking a child of her own, Sarah gives her slave Hagar to Abraham as his wife, and Hagar gives birth to Ishmael. In today’s story, Sarah becomes jealous and arranges for Hagar and Ishmael to be cast out. Abraham is distressed on account of his son, but neither he nor Sarah shows concern for Hagar. That a time of joy and celebration leads to an act devoid of compassion and humanity is troubling for readers today. Nor does God rebuke Sarah; instead, God tells Abraham to do what she says. God’s promises will be fulfilled through Isaac, not Ishmael.
Although Ishmael is not the son of promise, he is still treasured and, in his distress, God hears his cries. What might have become a story of sorrow and death is transformed when God provides for Ishmael: "Come, lift up the boy and hold him fast with your hand, for I will make a great nation of him." (v. 18)
It is Hagar for whom I feel most concern in this story. She is a slave, given in marriage without choice and cast out because of her jealous mistress; neither Abraham nor God appears to show her compassion. Is this what happens when stories are recounted by men? Does this highlight a concern for women today that was absent in Abraham’s time? Galatians 4 mentions Hagar and Sarah, describing Hagar’s child as born according to the flesh and Sarah’s through the promise (Galatians 4:21-31). Those who have faith in Christ are described as children of the promise (Galatians 4:28).
To Ponder:
- Is there anything that brings you joy in your life today, that you would like to thank God for?
- How do you feel about the way women are portrayed in this passage and the apparent lack of concern for Hagar?
Prayer
Lord, help me to know the joy that you bring and to live my life in a way that brings joy to others. Amen.
Bible notes author: The Revd Kate Cambridge
Kate is a presbyter in the Winchester, Eastleigh and Romsey Circuit. In her free time she enjoys doing laundry (!), spending time with her family and wrestling ball point pens off her miniature poodle.