Now the Lord was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did for Sarah what he had promised. Genesis 21:1. Sarah was blessed with a son, Isaac, in her and Abraham’s old age. Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.” v. 6.

When Isaac was weaned, Abraham held a great feast, but when Sarah saw Ishmael, Abraham’s son with Hagar, mocking, she insisted Abraham get rid of Hagar and Ishmael. She was ready to throw them away. Can you imagine Abraham’s distress? This was his first born son, though not through his wife. The Lord reassured Abraham and he sent them away with provisions Hagar could carry on her back.

Hagar’s status as a slave to Sarah was always tenuous especially when she bore Abraham a son. What must Ishmael have felt?

They wandered in the desert of Beersheba, alone and when the provisions ran out despaired of life. God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation.” v. 17-18. Sarah may have thrown them away but God never does. God was with the boy as he grew up. He lived in the desert and became an archer. While he was living in the Desert of Paran, his mother got a wife for him from Egypt. v. 20-21.

The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Isaiah 58:11. He provided the well that Hagar took Ishmael to so they could survive; He was with Ishmael and Isaac as they grew and lived their lives.

In listening to the Revelation discussions by the Open Table Conference, one of the presenters said something that has stayed with me. Read the Bible passages and linger as you read and the Lord will pass through and bring a deeper understanding. I found that to be true in this Chapter. God doesn’t abandon us, He is with us as we grow and live our lives. How could He not? He created us. He longs to lead us to a life loved. As we turn to Him, we turn to the source of life loved. The well in the desert provided life-saving water…the Lord provides life-saving love.