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Commentary on Genesis 21 verses 14–21
Here is, I. The casting out of the bond-woman, and her son from the family of Abraham, Gen 21:14. Abraham's obedience to the divine command in this matter was speedy - early in the morning, we may suppose immediately after he had, in the night's visions, received orders to do this. It was also submissive; it was contrary to his judgment, at least to his own inclination, to do it; yet as soon as he perceives that it is the mind of God he makes no objections, but silently does as he is bidden, as one trained up to an implicit obedience. In sending them away without any attendants, on foot, and slenderly provided for, it is probable that he observed the directions given him. If Hagar and Ishmael had conducted themselves well in Abraham's family, they might have continued there; but they threw themselves out by their own pride and insolence, which were thus justly chastised. Note, By abusing our privileges we forfeit them. Those that know not when they are well off, in such a desirable place as Abraham's family, deserve to be cashiered, and to be made to know the worth of mercies by the want of them.
II. Their wandering in the wilderness, missing their way to the place Abraham designed them for a settlement.
1.They were reduced to great distress there. Their provisions were spent, and Ishmael was sick. He that used to be full fed in Abraham's house, where he waxed fat and kicked, now fainted and sunk, when he was brought to short allowance. Hagar is in tears, and sufficiently mortified. Now she wishes for the crumbs she had wasted and made light of at her master's table. Like one under the power of the spirit of bondage, she despairs of relief, counts upon nothing but the death of the child (Gen 21:15, Gen 21:16), though God had told her, before he was born, that he should live to be a man, a great man. We are apt to forget former promises, when present providences seem to contradict them; for we live by sense.
2.In this distress, God graciously appeared for their relief: he heard the voice of the lad, Gen 21:17. We read not of a word he said; but his sighs, and groans, and calamitous state, cried aloud in the ears of mercy. An angel was sent to comfort Hagar, and it was not the first time that she had met with God's comforts in a wilderness; she had thankfully acknowledged the former kind visit which God made his in such a case (Gen 16:13), and therefore God now visited her again with seasonable succours. (1.) The angel assures her of the cognizance God took of her distress: God has heard the voice of the lad where he is, though he is in a wilderness (for, wherever we are, there is a way open heaven-ward); therefore lift up the lad, and hold him in thy hand, Gen 21:18. Note, God's readiness to help us when we are in trouble must not slacken, but quicken, our endeavours to help ourselves. (2.) He repeats the promise concerning her son, that he should be a great nation, as a reason why she should bestir herself to help him. Note, It should engage our care and pains about children and young people to consider that we know not what God has designed them for, nor what great use Providence may make of them. (3.) He directs her to a present supply (Gen 21:19): He opened her eyes (which were swollen and almost blinded with weeping), and then she saw a well of water. Note, Many that have reason enough to be comforted go mourning from day to day, because they do not see the reason they have for comfort. There is a well of water by them in the covenant of grace, but they are not aware of it; they have not the benefit of it, till the same God that opened their eyes to see their wound opens them to see their remedy, Joh 16:6, Joh 16:7. Now the apostle tells us that those things concerning Hagar and Ishmael are allegoroumena (Gal 4:24), they are to be allegorized; this then will serve to illustrate the folly, [1.] Of those who, like the unbelieving Jews, seek for righteousness by the law and the carnal ordinances of it, and not by the promise made in Christ, thereby running themselves into a wilderness of want and despair. Their comforts are soon exhausted, and if God save them not by his special prerogative, and by a miracle of mercy open their eyes and undeceive them, they are undone. [2.] Of those who seek for satisfaction and happiness in the world and the things of it. Those that forsake the comforts of the covenant and communion with God, and choose their portion in this earth, take up with a bottle of water, poor and slender provision, and that soon spent; they wander endlessly in pursuit of satisfaction, and, at length, sit down short of it.
III. The settlement of Ishmael, at last, in the wilderness of Paran (Gen 21:20, Gen 21:21), a wild place, fittest for a wild man; and such a one he was, ch. 16. 12. Those that are born after the flesh take up with the wilderness of this world, while the children of the promise aim at the heavenly Canaan, and cannot be at rest till they are there. Observe, 1. He had some tokens of God's presence: God was with the lad; his outward prosperity was owing to this. 2. By trade he was an archer, which intimates that craft was his excellency and sport his business: rejected Esau was a cunning hunter. 3. He matched among his mother's relations; she took him a wife out of Egypt: as great an archer as he was, he did not think he could take his aim well, in the business of marriage, if he proceeded without his mother's advice and consent.
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SUMMARY
Genesis 21:17 marks a pivotal moment of divine intervention and profound compassion, as God hears the desperate cries of Ishmael, abandoned and perishing in the vast wilderness with his mother, Hagar. In response, the angel of God calls out from heaven, offering Hagar immediate reassurance, dispelling her fear, and revealing God's intimate awareness of the lad's suffering, thereby paving the way for miraculous provision and the continuation of God's specific promises concerning Ishmael's future.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Genesis 21:17 employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. Anthropomorphism is evident in the phrase "God heard the voice," attributing a human sensory action to God to convey His active awareness and responsiveness to human suffering. The appearance of the "angel of God" is an Angelophany (or potentially a Theophany), a manifestation of divine presence and communication, emphasizing the direct and authoritative nature of God's intervention. The Repetition of the phrase "God hath heard the voice of the lad" serves to underscore the central truth of the verse and to provide profound reassurance to Hagar, cementing the reason for her comfort. There is also an element of Dramatic Irony as Hagar moves away from Ishmael to avoid witnessing his death, precisely at the moment God's divine presence and intervention are most intimately focused on the boy's exact location. Finally, the Symbolism of the wilderness as a place of extreme testing and isolation, yet also a site of profound divine encounter and miraculous provision, is central to the narrative.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly illustrates God's boundless compassion and unwavering attentiveness to the cries of the distressed, regardless of their perceived status or lineage. It shatters any notion of a distant or indifferent deity, revealing a God who is intimately involved in the suffering of His creation. God's hearing of Ishmael's cry, even when Hagar herself had moved away in despair, underscores His particular care for the vulnerable and outcast. Furthermore, this divine intervention serves as a powerful testament to God's faithfulness to His promises, ensuring the survival of Ishmael in accordance with the prior assurances given to Abraham, demonstrating that God's word will always be fulfilled, even through unexpected means. This narrative offers enduring hope, reminding us that no cry of distress goes unheard by the God who sees and knows all.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 21:17 offers profound encouragement for anyone facing overwhelming trials, despair, or the feeling of being utterly abandoned. It stands as a powerful testament that no cry, no silent groan, no desperate prayer goes unheard by God, regardless of our perceived status, our past mistakes, or the depth of our suffering. When we feel isolated, forgotten, or at the absolute end of our resources, this verse assures us that God is intimately attentive to our plight, knowing precisely "where we are" in our distress. It calls us to trust in God's unfailing compassion and His sovereign ability to intervene even in the most dire circumstances, providing hope and a way forward where none seems to exist. Just as God provided for Hagar and Ishmael in their wilderness experience, He remains faithful to sustain His people and fulfill His purposes, offering comfort and provision in our own moments of deepest need, reminding us that His ear is always inclined to the cries of His children.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did God explicitly hear the "voice of the lad" and not Hagar's cries?
Answer: While Hagar was undoubtedly in deep distress, the text's emphasis on Ishmael's voice, likely his cries or groans as a dying child, highlights God's direct compassion for the vulnerable and innocent. This focus also connects directly to God's earlier promises made to Abraham regarding Ishmael's future, specifically that He would make him into a great nation (Genesis 17:20 and Genesis 21:13). God's attentiveness to Ishmael's voice underscores His commitment to the boy's survival for the fulfillment of His covenantal word, even as He responds to the broader desperate situation.
Who is the "angel of God" mentioned in this verse?
Answer: The "angel of God" (Hebrew: mal'akh Elohim) is a divine messenger. In many Old Testament instances, particularly when the angel speaks with divine authority and acts as a direct representative of God (as seen here with the declaration "God hath heard"), this figure is often understood by theologians as a Christophany—a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ—or at least a direct, authoritative manifestation of God Himself. This interpretation emphasizes the directness, power, and personal nature of God's intervention in Hagar and Ishmael's dire circumstances.
What is the significance of "where he [is]" in God's statement?
Answer: The phrase "where he [is]" profoundly emphasizes God's perfect knowledge and omnipresence. It signifies that God is not a distant, detached deity, but one who is intimately aware of every detail of our circumstances, even in the most desolate and seemingly forgotten places. It reassures Hagar that God knows precisely Ishmael's location and his exact condition of suffering. This divine knowledge is the basis for His precise and effective intervention, underscoring that no one is ever truly lost or beyond the scope of God's watchful eye and compassionate care.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The divine intervention in Genesis 21:17, where God hears the cry of the distressed and sends His angel to bring comfort and provision, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Just as God heard Ishmael's desperate plea and provided life-saving water in the wilderness, Christ is the ultimate source of living water, offering eternal life and spiritual sustenance to all who thirst (John 4:10-14 and John 7:37-38). Furthermore, the "angel of God" who brings divine reassurance and direction powerfully foreshadows Christ Himself, who is the ultimate Messenger and perfect Revelation of God (Hebrews 1:1-3). In Christ, God's compassion for the suffering and outcast reaches its zenith, as He not only hears our cries but fully enters into our human suffering (Hebrews 4:15), intercedes on our behalf (Romans 8:34), and provides ultimate salvation and eternal comfort. Through His atoning sacrifice and resurrection, Christ ensures that no one who trusts in Him will ever truly perish in their wilderness of sin and despair, but will find abundant life and everlasting hope.