“Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation.”
This verse is part of the narrative of Abraham and Sarah, who were promised by God to become the parents of a great nation. In this particular passage, God speaks to Hagar, the mother of Abraham’s son Ishmael. To better understand the context, we need to review the events leading up to this verse. Abraham and Sarah were advanced in years, and Sarah was unable to conceive a child. In their attempt to fulfill God’s promise of descendants, Sarah gave her handmaid Hagar to Abraham as a wife, and Hagar bore a son named Ishmael. However, this arrangement caused tension within the household. Eventually, Sarah miraculously conceived and gave birth to Isaac, the promised child.
When Isaac was weaned, Sarah noticed Ishmael mocking him, which upset her. She told Abraham to cast out Hagar and Ishmael, saying that Ishmael should not be an heir with her son Isaac. This decision distressed Abraham, but God reassured him and told him to listen to Sarah’s words. Then, in Genesis 21:18, God speaks directly to Hagar, who is wandering in the wilderness with her son after being expelled from Abraham’s household. The phrase Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand suggests that Hagar was feeling helpless and overwhelmed. God instructs her to take hold of her son and care for him. This indicates God’s compassion and concern for Hagar and Ishmael, even though they are no longer part of Abraham’s household.
The latter part of the verse, for I will make him a great nation, is a reaffirmation of God’s promise. Despite the difficult circumstances Hagar and Ishmael face, God assures Hagar that Ishmael will become the father of a great nation. This promise highlights God’s faithfulness and his plan for Ishmael’s future.
The story of Hagar and Ishmael demonstrates God’s care for all people, regardless of their circumstances. Even when they were cast out, God did not abandon them. This passage also illustrates God’s sovereignty and the fulfilment of his promises. Ishmael went on to become the father of the Ishmaelites, who were one of the twelve tribes of Arabia and played a significant role in history.
Overall, Genesis 21:18 is a reminder of God’s compassion, faithfulness, and the realisation of his promises, even in challenging situations.
