Then she went off and sat down nearby, about a bowshot away, for she said, "I cannot bear to watch the boy die!" And as she sat nearby, she lifted up her voice and wept. Then she went off and sat down nearbyHagar, the mother of Ishmael, finds herself in a desperate situation in the wilderness. This act of moving away signifies her emotional turmoil and helplessness. In the cultural context, a mother distancing herself from her child in distress is a profound expression of grief and despair. This moment reflects the human tendency to withdraw in times of overwhelming sorrow. about a bowshot away
The term "bowshot" is a measure of distance, roughly equivalent to several hundred yards. This detail not only provides a vivid image of the scene but also emphasizes the separation between Hagar and Ishmael. The use of "bowshot" connects to the future of Ishmael, who is described as an archer in Genesis 21:20, highlighting his destiny and survival skills. for she said, “I cannot bear to watch the boy die!”
Hagar's words reveal her deep maternal love and anguish. The fear of witnessing her son's death is unbearable, showcasing the depth of her despair. This moment parallels other biblical instances where individuals face seemingly insurmountable trials, such as Elijah in 1 Kings 19:4. It underscores the theme of human vulnerability and the need for divine intervention. And as she sat nearby, she lifted up her voice and wept.
Hagar's weeping is a poignant expression of her sorrow and helplessness. In biblical narratives, crying out often precedes divine intervention, as seen in the stories of the Israelites in Exodus 2:23-25. Her tears and cries are a form of prayer, even if unspoken, demonstrating the power of lament in seeking God's mercy. This moment foreshadows God's response and provision, highlighting His compassion and faithfulness to those in distress. Persons / Places / Events 1. HagarAn Egyptian maidservant of Sarah, who became the mother of Abraham's first son, Ishmael. In Genesis 21:16, she finds herself in a desperate situation in the wilderness. 2. IshmaelThe son of Abraham and Hagar. At this point in the account, he is a young boy facing the threat of death due to lack of water. 3. BeershebaThe location where Hagar and Ishmael are wandering. It is a desert area, emphasizing the dire circumstances they face. 4. The WildernessRepresents a place of testing and trial, where Hagar and Ishmael are left to fend for themselves after being sent away by Abraham. 5. God's ProvisionAlthough not a person or place, the event of God's intervention is crucial. It highlights God's faithfulness and care for Hagar and Ishmael even in their distress. Teaching Points God Hears Our CriesJust as God heard Hagar's cries, He hears us in our moments of desperation. We can trust that He is attentive to our needs. Faith in God's ProvisionHagar's account encourages us to have faith that God will provide for us, even when circumstances seem dire. The Importance of Trusting God's PromisesGod's promise to Hagar about Ishmael's future was fulfilled, reminding us to trust in His promises for our lives. God's Care for the MarginalizedHagar, a servant and foreigner, was not forgotten by God. This teaches us about God's heart for the marginalized and encourages us to reflect His compassion. Hope in the WildernessThe wilderness is often a place of testing, but also of divine encounter and provision. We can find hope knowing that God meets us in our wilderness experiences. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Hagar's experience in Genesis 21:16 reflect God's character and His response to human suffering? 2. In what ways can we see God's provision in our own "wilderness" experiences, and how does this passage encourage us to trust Him more? 3. How does the account of Hagar and Ishmael challenge us to care for those who are marginalized or in distress in our communities? 4. What are some promises of God that you are holding onto, and how does Hagar's account encourage you to trust in their fulfillment? 5. How can we apply the lessons from Hagar's account to our prayer life, especially when we feel unheard or abandoned? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 16Provides background on Hagar and Ishmael's account, including God's promise to Hagar about Ishmael's future. Psalm 34:18Relates to God's closeness to the brokenhearted, similar to how He responds to Hagar's distress. Matthew 6:25-34Jesus' teaching on God's provision, which parallels God's care for Hagar and Ishmael in the wilderness. Exodus 2:23-25God's response to the cries of the Israelites in Egypt, showing His consistent nature in hearing and responding to the oppressed. People Abimelech, Abraham, Hagar, Isaac, Phichol, SarahPlaces Beersheba, Egypt, Gerar, ParanTopics Afar, Arrow, Behold, Bitter, Bow, Bowshot, Bow-shot, Boy, Child, Death, Die, Distance, Flight, Herself, Lad, Lift, Lifted, Lifteth, Nearby, Opposite, Over-against, Raised, Sat, Saying, Seating, Shot, Sitteth, Sob, Voice, Watch, Weepeth, Weeping, WeptDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 21:16 8300 love, and the world Genesis 21:14-19 4293 water Genesis 21:15-16 5619 measures, distance and area Library Compassion for Souls
Behold the compassion of a mother for her child expiring with thirst, and remember that such a compassion ought all Christians to feel towards souls that are perishing for lack of Christ, perishing eternally, perishing without hope of salvation. If the mother lifted up her voice arid wept, so also should we; and if the contemplation of her dying, child was all too painful for her, so may the contemplation of the wrath to come, which is to pass upon every soul that dies impenitent, become too painful …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871Therefore, if we Compare the Things Themselves, we May no Way Doubt that The...
28. Therefore, if we compare the things themselves, we may no way doubt that the chastity of continence is better than marriage chastity, whilst yet both are good: but when we compare the persons, he is better, who hath a greater good than another. Further, he who hath a greater of the same kind, hath also that which is less; but he, who only hath what is less, assuredly hath not that which is greater. For in sixty, thirty also are contained, not sixty also in thirty. But not to work from out that …
St. Augustine—On the Good of Marriage The Gospel Feast
"When Jesus then lifted up His eyes, and saw a great company come unto Him, He saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread that these may eat?"--John vi. 5. After these words the Evangelist adds, "And this He said to prove him, for He Himself knew what He would do." Thus, you see, our Lord had secret meanings when He spoke, and did not bring forth openly all His divine sense at once. He knew what He was about to do from the first, but He wished to lead forward His disciples, and to arrest and …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII Of Bearing the Cross --One Branch of Self-Denial.
The four divisions of this chapter are,--I. The nature of the cross, its necessity and dignity, sec. 1, 2. II. The manifold advantages of the cross described, sec. 3-6. III. The form of the cross the most excellent of all, and yet it by no means removes all sense of pain, sec. 7, 8. IV. A description of warfare under the cross, and of true patience, (not that of philosophers,) after the example of Christ, sec. 9-11. 1. THE pious mind must ascend still higher, namely, whither Christ calls his disciples …
Archpriest John Iliytch Sergieff—On the Christian Life But if Moreover any not Having Charity, which Pertaineth to the Unity of Spirit...
23. But if moreover any not having charity, which pertaineth to the unity of spirit and the bond of peace whereby the Catholic Church is gathered and knit together, being involved in any schism, doth, that he may not deny Christ, suffer tribulations, straits, hunger, nakedness, persecution, perils, prisons, bonds, torments, swords, or flames, or wild beasts, or the very cross, through fear of hell and everlasting fire; in nowise is all this to be blamed, nay rather this also is a patience meet to …
St. Augustine—On Patience The Annunciation of Jesus the Messiah, and the Birth of his Forerunner.
FROM the Temple to Nazareth! It seems indeed most fitting that the Evangelic story should have taken its beginning within the Sanctuary, and at the time of sacrifice. Despite its outward veneration for them, the Temple, its services, and specially its sacrifices, were, by an inward logical necessity, fast becoming a superfluity for Rabbinism. But the new development, passing over the intruded elements, which were, after all, of rationalistic origin, connected its beginning directly with the Old Testament …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
Syria: the part played by it in the ancient world--Babylon and the first Chaldaean empire--The dominion of the Hyksos: Ahmosis. Some countries seem destined from their origin to become the battle-fields of the contending nations which environ them. Into such regions, and to their cost, neighbouring peoples come from century to century to settle their quarrels and bring to an issue the questions of supremacy which disturb their little corner of the world. The nations around are eager for the possession …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 4 The Holiness of God
The next attribute is God's holiness. Exod 15:51. Glorious in holiness.' Holiness is the most sparkling jewel of his crown; it is the name by which God is known. Psa 111:1. Holy and reverend is his name.' He is the holy One.' Job 6:60. Seraphims cry, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of his glory.' Isa 6:6. His power makes him mighty, his holiness makes him glorious. God's holiness consists in his perfect love of righteousness, and abhorrence of evil. Of purer eyes than …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Genesis 21:16 NIVGenesis 21:16 NLTGenesis 21:16 ESVGenesis 21:16 NASBGenesis 21:16 KJV
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