“But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.”
In this verse, God is speaking to Abraham, reaffirming the covenant He made with him and emphasizing that it will be established through Isaac, the son that Sarah will bear to Abraham. This verse is part of a larger passage where God is making a covenant with Abraham, promising him descendants and the land of Canaan.
To fully understand the significance of Genesis 17:21, it’s helpful to explore the context and background of the passage. In Genesis 12, God initially calls Abraham (then Abram) out of his homeland to a land that He will show him. God promises to make Abraham a great nation, bless him, and make his name great. In Genesis 15, God reiterates His promise to give Abraham offspring as numerous as the stars and to give them the land of Canaan as their inheritance.
In Genesis 16, however, we see Abraham and Sarah trying to fulfill God’s promise in their own way. Sarah, who was unable to conceive, gave her maidservant Hagar to Abraham so that she could bear a child on Sarah’s behalf. Hagar gave birth to Ishmael, but this was not the child of the covenant that God had promised.
In Genesis 17, when Abraham was 99 years old, God appeared to him again, restating His covenant and making a covenant of circumcision as a sign of the covenant. God changes Abraham’s name from Abram to Abraham, meaning “father of a multitude,” and Sarai’s name to Sarah, meaning “princess.” God promises that Sarah will conceive and bear a son, and they are to name him Isaac. It is in this context that Genesis 17:21 is spoken.
The verse underscores the specificity and fulfillment of God’s promise. God designates Isaac as the child through whom the covenant will be established. It demonstrates God’s sovereignty in His covenantal plan and His faithfulness to fulfill His promises. Despite Abraham and Sarah’s doubts and attempts to bring about the promise in their own way, God affirms that it is through the child of Sarah that the covenant will come to pass.
The birth of Isaac, the son of the covenant, holds great significance throughout the biblical narrative. Isaac becomes a central figure in the Abrahamic lineage, and the covenantal promises are passed down through him to his descendants, including Jacob and the twelve tribes of Israel.
Genesis 17:21 teaches us important lessons about God’s faithfulness and His perfect timing. It shows that God’s plans are not thwarted by human efforts or shortcomings. Even when we may try to take matters into our own hands, God remains committed to His promises and works according to His sovereign will. It encourages us to trust in God’s timing and faithfulness, even when circumstances seem uncertain or delayed.
Overall, Genesis 17:21 reminds us that God’s covenantal promises are specific and reliable. Through Isaac, the child of Sarah, the covenant was established, paving the way for the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan for humanity through the line of Abraham and ultimately through Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate fulfillment of God’s covenant promises.
