Genesis 21-23

Chapter 21

Chapter 21 records the birth of Isaac, the heir of the covenant. God gives Abraham and Sarah the promised son at the very time He had spoken, fulfilling His word. Isaac is born 25 years after Abraham was first called at the age of 75(verses 1–7).

 

Isaac is circumcised on the eighth day and grows as the heir of God’s promised inheritance. However, Ishmael, who was born through Hagar, mocks Isaac, and as a result, Ishmael is sent away (verses 9–21).

Later, Abraham makes a peace treaty with Abimelech, the king of the Philistines. Through this event, Abraham emerges as the true patriarch dwelling in Canaan, the land promised by God (verses 22–34).

 

Q1) Why did Abraham and Sarah name their son “Isaac” (verse 6)?

Q2) What mercy did God show to Hagar and Ishmael after they were sent away (verses 13, 18)?

Q3) What oath did Abimelech ask Abraham to swear (verse 23)?

Chapter 22

 

Chapter 22 shows how Abraham’s faith matures. After enduring the pain of sending away Hagar and Ishmael, peace and joy return to his household. At this point, God asks Abraham to offer Isaac, the son who had become his greatest joy in old age, as a sacrifice (verses 1–2).

 

Abraham responds with faithful obedience to God’s command. Seeing his faith, God Himself provides a ram as a substitute sacrifice, saving Isaac (verses 3–14).

This event is a holy test in which God places Abraham’s faith on the scale, and it also serves as a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ’s atoning sacrifice. Because of Abraham’s obedience, God once again promises abundant blessings to him (verses 15–19).

 

The chapter concludes with the genealogy of Nahor, Abraham’s brother. This genealogy points ahead to the birth of the twelve tribes of Israel through Nahor’s descendants, showing how God’s covenant would be fulfilled in concrete history (verses 20–24).

 

Q1) What does God command Abraham to do (verses 1–2), and how does Abraham respond (verses 3, 6, 9–10)?

Q2) After Abraham passes the test through obedience, what does God provide (verses 13–14)?

Q3) What blessings does God promise to Abraham (verses 16–17)?

 

Chapter 23

Chapter 23 gives a detailed account of the death and burial of Sarah, Abraham’s wife. Through Sarah’s death, the chapter shows that the era of Abraham—the father of faith—is gradually coming to an end, while the era of Isaac, the heir of the covenant, is beginning (verses 1–2).

 

Abraham purchases land from Ephron the Hittite in order to bury Sarah (verses 3–18). This purchase is significant in redemptive history, as it marks the first time Abraham actually owns a portion of the land that God promised him. Sarah is buried in the cave of Machpelah, on the land Abraham bought (verses 19–20).

 

Q1) How does Abraham describe himself to the Hittites (verse 4)?

Q2) Where was Sarah buried, and what was the cost of the land (verses 15–19)?

Q3) How much did Abraham pay for the field and the cave of Machpelah (verse 16)?

 

Source: Becoming Church (Tistory)