DId God Really Say…

January 21, 2024

Read Genesis 21, Psalm 21, John 21

What’s the longest you have ever waited for something? Maybe as a kid you counted down the days until summer or graduation. Maybe you waited for a upcoming family vacation or time to retire from a job. There is no good way around it, waiting can be tough. Here in Genesis 21 we finally have the birth of Isaac that was promised 25 years ago. “Now the Lord was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did for Sarah what he had promised” v. 1. God keeps his promises and was gracious to Sarah. “Sarah said, ‘God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me’” v. 6. Laughter from before from Sarah was steeped in disbelief, now Sarah’s laughter was full of joy. The name Isaac means “he laughs.”

The later part of Genesis 21 can seem rather to harsh. Sarah wishes to send Hagar and Ismael away and then God confirms it to Abraham. We might question, “What kind of God would do this to people like Hagar and her son?” God’s response, “Do not be so distressed about the boy and your maidservant. Listen to whatever Sarah tells you, because it is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned” v. 12. Abraham did not know the fate of his son Ismael, but God did. We only have to read a few verses more to see how God would take care of Hagar and Ismael too. God provided water and the ability for Hagar and Ismael to become part of a family. The pain of sending a person away might seem harsh, but if it has a greater good of protecting the promise to Abraham through Isaac then it was the right thing to do.

In Psalm 21 we have another psalm of David. He rejoices in God’s strength and protection over him. David recognized that God had delivered him from his enemies. God’s plan had come to pass. The last verses are a theme of judgment for David’s enemies. “Your hand will lay hold on all your enemies; your right hand will seize your foes. ⁹ At the time of your appearing you will make them like a fiery furnace” vv. 8-9. Fire, is a image of judgment often in the Bible. Fire refines and purifies things that pass through it or it will burn up the things that are not of value or that will last.

John 21 is the last chapter of the Gospel of John. Like many final chapters in a book, John 21 offers some much needed resolution, especially to Peter. In John 18, you remember Peter denies Jesus three times in Jesus’ trails. Jesus told Peter he would do it. Three times Jesus asks, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” v. 15. Peter’s feelings are hurt because Jesus seems to repeat the question over. Many have pointed out that there is forgiveness for each denial that Peter spoke of earlier.

The four Gospels are book-ended at the beginning of Matthew and the end of John with a similar scene. John 21 opens with the disciples returning to shore after being out all-night fishing. They had caught nothing the Scripture says, “So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. ⁴ Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus” vv. 3-4. Keep in mind that the disciples had not recognized Jesus yet. Now go to Matthew 4 and you will find the narrative of Jesus calling the first disciples, specifically Peter and Andrew. This is where they meet Jesus for the first time, and it was while they had attempted to cast their nets for fish. Both times, Jesus does the miraculous and helps them bring in the biggest haul of fish. This is when they realized who Jesus was when he told them again where to cast their nets and catch fish. How has Jesus returned to you again and again and shown himself faithful and forgiving? Is there anything in your life you need to confront the Savior about?

What else do you see in these chapters? What words, phrases, or themes stand out to you?
Write your thoughts below.