Genesis 20:1-21:21

So much in this passage!  I think I will have to cover it bullet-style just to get my thoughts down

• First, the passage on Abimelech and Sarah makes you want to rethink beauty and age.  Sarah was in her nineties when Abimelech took her for his wife (thankfully, he didn't go near her).  Often, you might think how beautiful she must have been at close in her nineties to still attract attention.  But, back then they lived much longer (Abraham had children with a second wife after Sarah died) and may have aged slower.  The last part I don't know.  But still, she was old enough to be considered past child-bearing age.  But here, Abimelech desired her for his wife.  (We know, of course, that this is not the first time this happened, but you sure hope Abraham has learned his lesson by now!)
• Hagar.  I said before that God showed love for Hagar.  Sarah wants to send Hagar away, which would basically mean that Hagar would have to "live on the streets", as no man would have her once she had a child by another man (and was not a widow).  God in fact tells Abraham to go ahead and do it, which may seem harsh.  Previously, Hagar had named the Lord "You are a God of seeing" because He saw her in her distress from Sarah's mistreatment.  And He sees her here again when He provides Hagar a spring with which to sustain herself and Ishmael.  They live in the wilderness and provide for themselves, and from Ishmael come the Middle Eastern tribes.
• The birth of Isaac.  You know, a lot of people have written about the birth of Isaac and I don't know that I can say anything original.  But isn't it a good reminder of God's faithfulness?  And his name is so appropriate because of the joy he brought his parents.

Tomorrow's Reading: Genesis 21:22-22:24