Hagar
J. C. Gray. Genesis 21:14 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder… I. THE EXPULSION. 1. Of whom? Hagar, the bondwoman, and Ishmael, Abraham's son. Type of those who are cast out spiritually. Bondslaves of sin, whom the truth has not made free (Galatians 4:31; Job 8:36). 2. By whom? Abraham; at Sarah's request, and by the Lord's direction. With a human pity for Hagar, he yet obeyed God. The event eminently instructive to us. Servants of the law shall not, as such, divide with the free children the promises and blessings of the gospel; they are for the heirs of Christ, the Son who has made us free. 3. Wherefore? Because of the mocking of the son of the free woman. God will avenge his own elect. Mockers are cast out. Isaac mocked for his child-like attachment to his mother; and the seed of Abraham this day mocked for their attachment to Christ. 4. How? Kindly, pitifully. Food for the journey was given. The bond have their good things in this life. Even they are blessed so far. 5. Whither? Egypt, the house of bondage, their destination. The bond journey through a wilderness to a prison. II. THE JOURNEY. Through the wilderness of Beer-sheba. Drear, desolate, lonely. The home where they might have been happy, behind; before them — Egypt. Ishmael, fainting and weary, likely to die. The mother's solicitude. Cannot bear to see him die. The death of the free, beautiful, attractive. Religious analogy. The world cannot bear to see its loved ones die. Tenderness of mothers. III. THE INTERPOSITION. 1. God heard the lad. He "hears our sighs and counts our tears." His compassions fail not. 2. The voice of the angel. Comforting, guiding. Exhorted to hope or duty. 3. The promise. The lad should not die. The only word that could comfort that mother's heart. 4. The well of water. Gracious provision for the bondwoman and her son. 5. The bondwoman and her son did not go down into Egypt. They remained in the wilderness; became the founders of a great nation. God would not have any perish.Learn: 1. The sin and folly of despising Christ and his people. 2. The mercy of God to even such thoughtless sinners. 3. The strength of maternal affection, and duties of youth. 4. He maketh streams to flow in the desert. The river of life is not far from us; "Whosoever will, let him come unto Me and drink." V. We need Divine grace to open our eyes that we may see this stream. (J. C. Gray.) Parallel Verses KJV: And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba. WEB: Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread and a bottle of water, and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder; and gave her the child, and sent her away. She departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.