GENESIS FOR GEN Z

CHAPTER 21

God came through for Sarah just like He said He would, and did exactly what He promised. Sarah got pregnant and gave Abraham a baby boy in his old age, right on schedule according to God's timeline. 

Abraham named their son Isaac, sticking to the script God gave him. Isaac got the circumcision treatment when he was eight days old, 'cause that's what God had ordered. Abraham was a whole century old when Isaac entered the scene.

Sarah was all, "God's got me laughing now, and everyone's gonna join in on this joy ride." She was shook, like "Who would've thought I'd nurse a baby? At my age, I've given Abraham a son!"

Isaac grew up, and when he was done with nursing, Abraham threw a massive party. But then, Sarah caught Hagar's son, the one she had with Abraham, throwing shade. She told Abraham, "Kick out that servant and her kid. Her son's not sharing the inheritance with my Isaac."

This hit Abraham hard because it involved his other son. But God told Abraham, "Don't sweat it about the boy and your servant. Listen to Sarah, 'cause Isaac's where your legacy will continue. And don't worry, I'll make sure the servant's son becomes a big deal, too, because he's also your kid."

Abraham got up early, packed some snacks and water for Hagar, sent her off with the boy, and they wandered into the wilderness of Beersheba. When they ran out of water, Hagar put the boy under a bush, thinking it was all over. She couldn't bear to watch, so she sat a bit away, crying out in despair.

God heard the boy, and an angel called out to Hagar, "What's up, Hagar? Don't be scared; God's heard the boy. Get up, pick up the kid; you're both going to be fine. I've got big plans for him."

Then God showed her a well, she filled her bottle, and gave the boy a drink.

God stuck with the boy as he grew up to be an archer, living it up in the wilderness. He lived in the Paran wilderness, and his mom hooked him up with an Egyptian wife.

Around that time, Abimelech hit up Abraham, "God's obviously got your back in everything you do. So swear you won't ghost me or my future fam. Just like I've been cool with you, be cool with me and this land where you're hanging out."

Abraham was like, "I swear."

But then, Abraham had to call out Abimelech over a well that Abimelech's crew had jacked. Abimelech played clueless, "I had no idea about this. You're the first to bring it up."

Abraham then gave Abimelech some livestock, and they made a deal to settle the well drama. Abraham set aside seven lambs to make crystal clear he dug that well. Abimelech was like, "What's with the seven lamb's by themselves?"

Abraham said, "Take these lambs as proof that I'm the one who dug the well."

That's why the place got named Beersheba, because that's where they both swore an oath.

After sealing the deal in Beersheba, Abimelech and his general Phichol headed back to Philistine territory. Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba and called on God, the eternal. And Abraham chilled in Philistine land for a good while.