In the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible, Genesis 16 to 23 focuses on the life of Abram, later renamed Abraham, and the covenantal promises God makes with him. These chapters cover significant events that shape the story of Israel’s patriarch, including the birth of his two sons, Ishmael and Isaac, the covenant of circumcision, and the ultimate test of his faith in the near-sacrifice of Isaac. The themes of promise, patience, faith, and obedience take center stage as Abraham navigates challenges and encounters with God.
Genesis 16: The Birth of Ishmael
In Genesis 16, Abram’s wife Sarai is still childless, despite God’s promise that Abram’s descendants would be as numerous as the stars. Growing impatient, Sarai suggests that Abram have a child with her maidservant, Hagar. Abram agrees, and Hagar conceives. However, as soon as Hagar becomes pregnant, tension arises between her and Sarai, causing Hagar to flee into the wilderness.
In her despair, Hagar is visited by an angel of the Lord, who tells her to return to Sarai and submit to her. The angel also promises that her son will be called Ishmael and that he will father a great nation. The chapter ends with Hagar returning to Abram, and Ishmael is born when Abram is 86 years old.
Genesis 17: The Covenant of Circumcision and Abram Becomes Abraham
In Genesis 17, God appears to Abram again, reaffirming His covenant with him. God changes Abram’s name to Abraham, meaning “father of many nations,” and Sarai’s name to Sarah, meaning “princess.”
God’s covenant with Abraham is marked by the introduction of circumcision. Every male in Abraham’s household, including himself and his descendants, is to be circumcised as a sign of their special relationship with God. This becomes a defining physical symbol of God’s covenant with Abraham and his future generations.
At this point, God also reveals that Sarah will give birth to a son, Isaac, despite her advanced age. Abraham laughs at the idea of Sarah bearing a child at the age of 90, but God assures him that it will happen. While God promises to bless Ishmael and make him a great nation, He makes it clear that His covenant will be established through Isaac.
Genesis 18: The Promise of Isaac and Abraham’s Plea for Sodom
Genesis 18 opens with Abraham being visited by three mysterious men, who turn out to be messengers from God. Abraham demonstrates hospitality by preparing a meal for them. During their visit, one of the men announces that Sarah will have a son within a year. Sarah, overhearing the conversation, laughs to herself, doubting that such a thing is possible at her age. God, however, confronts her doubt, asking, “Is any thing too hard for the Lord?” (Genesis 18:14 KJV).
After this, the men set off toward Sodom, and God informs Abraham of His intention to destroy the city due to its wickedness. Abraham pleads with God, asking Him to spare the city if even a few righteous people can be found there. In an extraordinary act of intercession, Abraham negotiates with God until God agrees to spare Sodom if ten righteous individuals are found.
Genesis 19: The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah
In Genesis 19, two of the angels sent by God arrive in Sodom, where they are greeted by Lot, Abraham’s nephew. Lot offers them hospitality, but the men of Sodom attempt to assault the visitors. The angels protect Lot and his family, urging them to flee the city before it is destroyed.
Lot’s family hesitates, but the angels lead them out of the city, warning them not to look back. As they flee, God rains down fire and brimstone, destroying Sodom and Gomorrah. Unfortunately, Lot’s wife disobeys the command and looks back at the burning city, turning into a pillar of salt.
The chapter concludes with Lot and his daughters escaping to the mountains, where, in a strange twist, his daughters, believing they are the last survivors on earth, get Lot drunk and bear children by him. These children become the ancestors of the Moabites and Ammonites.
Genesis 20: Abraham and Abimelech
Genesis 20 recounts an episode where Abraham, once again, passes off Sarah as his sister while traveling through the land of Gerar. King Abimelech of Gerar takes Sarah into his household, not realizing that she is Abraham’s wife. However, God intervenes in a dream, warning Abimelech that Sarah is married.
Abimelech confronts Abraham, who admits to the deception out of fear that he would be killed because of Sarah’s beauty. Abimelech returns Sarah to Abraham, along with gifts of livestock and servants. Despite the deceit, God blesses Abraham, and Sarah is unharmed.
Genesis 21: The Birth of Isaac and the Expulsion of Hagar and Ishmael
Genesis 21 marks the fulfillment of God’s promise: Sarah gives birth to Isaac when Abraham is 100 years old. Isaac’s birth brings great joy, and Sarah marvels at the miracle, saying, “God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me” (Genesis 21:6 KJV).
However, tension between Sarah and Hagar resurfaces after Isaac is weaned. Sarah demands that Hagar and Ishmael be sent away, fearing that Ishmael might share in Isaac’s inheritance. Abraham is distressed by this, but God reassures him that Isaac is the child of promise while also promising that Ishmael will become a great nation.
Hagar and Ishmael are sent into the desert, where they nearly die of thirst. But God hears Ishmael’s cries and provides water, reaffirming His promise to make Ishmael a great nation. Ishmael grows up in the wilderness and becomes the father of the Arab peoples.
Genesis 22: The Testing of Abraham
Genesis 22 is one of the most significant and dramatic chapters in the Bible. God commands Abraham to take his beloved son Isaac to the land of Moriah and offer him as a burnt offering. Despite the unimaginable nature of the request, Abraham obeys without hesitation, demonstrating extraordinary faith.
As Abraham raises the knife to sacrifice Isaac, an angel of the Lord intervenes, stopping him. God provides a ram caught in a thicket as a substitute for Isaac. This event is a powerful foreshadowing of the future sacrifice of Jesus Christ, often referred to as the Lamb of God. Because of Abraham’s faith and obedience, God reaffirms His covenant, promising to multiply Abraham’s descendants and bless all nations through them.
Genesis 23: The Death and Burial of Sarah
In Genesis 23, Sarah dies at the age of 127 in Hebron. Abraham mourns for her and seeks to buy a burial site. He negotiates with the Hittites and purchases the cave of Machpelah from Ephron the Hittite. This marks the first piece of land that Abraham owns in Canaan, the land God has promised to his descendants.
The cave of Machpelah becomes the family burial site, where later Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, and Leah will be buried. This chapter emphasizes the theme of faith, as Abraham invests in the promised land even though he has not yet seen the full fulfillment of God’s promise.
Conclusion
Genesis 16 to 23 encapsulates some of the most important moments in Abraham’s life, from the birth of Ishmael and Isaac to the covenant of circumcision and the test of sacrificing Isaac. These chapters highlight the faithfulness of God to His promises, as well as Abraham’s enduring trust in God even in the face of difficult and seemingly impossible circumstances. Through these trials and encounters, Abraham’s faith is refined, and God’s covenant with him continues to unfold, laying the foundation for the future of Israel and the overarching biblical narrative of redemption.
