Genesis 21:4 Commentary and Bible Study

Abraham obeys God and gives the child the name chosen by God. It is a name which God knows will correspond to the joy that this child will put into the hearts of Abraham and Sarah, especially after waiting so long. They were observing the wonderful works of God in their lives and his perfect timing. When God’s promised to us had been long delayed and then finally fulfilled, we look back with meekness on the times when we doubted the fulfilment and remind ourselves that God always knew what he would do.Abraham circumcises Isaac in obedience to the covenant God has made with him. In Isaac’s case but not in Ishmael’s the sign of circumcision is going to be fulfilled, for in due time he will also be born of God, and put his trust in the Lord. Abraham is delighted to carry out the command exactly, anticipating the blessing on his son Isaac that it signifies. His obedience was an expression of delight in God, and thankfulness for this great gift. Now he was consoled for all the years he had had to wait, all the years in which his prayer had seemed to go unanswered. Now he saw that God had heard him all along but had waited until the best possible time to answer. Now he saw the effect of this on his faith which had been strengthened because he had been forced to trust God in the absence of a tangible answer.