So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac.GENESIS 22:3+Without HesitationThis is an extraordinary example and a description of...  Read More

"Offer [Isaac] there as a burnt offering."GENESIS 22:2+Raised from the AshesEven though there is a clear contradiction here—for there is nothing between death and life—Abraham nevertheless does not tu...  Read More

"Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering."GENESIS 22:2+Called to SacrificeThis trial cannot be overcome and is far too ...  Read More

At that time Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his army said to Abraham, "God is with you in all that you do. Now therefore swear to me here by God that you will not deal falsely with me." . . . A...  Read More

And God was with the boy, and he grew up.GENESIS 21:20+God Gives GrowthWhen the text states that God was with Ishmael, this is rich comfort, which shows that God opens heaven to us when we have been h...  Read More

"Up! Lift up the boy, and hold him fast with your hand, for I will make him into a great nation."GENESIS 21:18+Hold FastThus [the angel] absolves the troubled woman from all excommunication and fear. ...  Read More

And the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, "What troubles you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is."GENESIS 21:17+Dry Your TearsOne should not su...  Read More

God heard the voice of the boy.GENESIS 21:17+God of the HumbleThis is a very great comfort for all those who feel that they have been cast out, that is, acknowledge their sins and tremble before the j...  Read More

[Hagar] said, "Let me not look on the death of my child." And as she sat opposite him, she lifted up her voice and wept.GENESIS 21:16+A Cry for SolaceI encourage myself with this hope alone, that in t...  Read More

[Abraham] sent her away.GENESIS 21:14+A Father's LoveAbraham was no ordinary Christian or confessor, if I may express myself in this way. No, he was a martyr of martyrs. For who is there who does not ...  Read More

So Abraham rose early in the morning and took bread and a skin of water and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, along with the child, and sent her away.GENESIS 21:14+Loved above All ThingsTh...  Read More

"I will make a nation of the son of the slave woman also, because he is your offspring."GENESIS 21:13+The Prayer of the ChurchThe Lord commanded that Ishmael should be cast out. Lest He appear to have...  Read More