Genesis 21:14 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder… A suggestive narrative, illustrating various Scriptures. 1. "The way of transgressors is hard." 2. God is "not far from every one of us." 3. "God is no respecter of persons." 4. It echoes the words, "Them that honour Me I will honour." I. MAN'S EXTREMITY IS GOD'S OPPORTUNITY. The darkest hour proceeds the dawn. We are never beyond Divine help. II. BANE AND BLESSING ARE OFTEN NEAR EACH OTHER. The antidotes of various poisons grow close beside them. Mercies are contiguous to miseries. III. DIVINE HELP IS ALWAYS KIND AND APPROPRIATE. God not only provided water, but, as one suggests, in such a way as to meet every want of the two sufferers. 1. He gave Hagar something to do for her boy. 2. He reminded Hagar of His aid to others. A well showed that dwellers had been in the desert before her. Biography is a "well" telling of heaven's blessing upon those who have preceded us. 3. He made a glorious promise to Hagar. (T. R. Stevenson.) Parallel Verses KJV: And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba. |
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