Motivation Morsel - November 4, 2026
Genesis 21 Adonai remembered Sarah as he had said, and Adonai did for Sarah what he had promised. 2 Sarah conceived and bore Avraham a son in his old age, at the very time G-d had said to him. 3 Avraham called his son, born to him, whom Sarah bore to him, Yitz’chak. 4 Avraham circumcised his son Yitz’chak when he was eight days old, as G-d had ordered him to do.
(v) 5 Avraham was one hundred years old when his son Yitz’chak [laughter] was born to him. 6 Sarah said, “G-d has given me good reason to laugh; now everyone who hears about it will laugh with me.” 7 And she said, “Who would have said to Avraham that Sarah would nurse children? Nevertheless, I have borne him a son in his old age!”
8 The child grew and was weaned, and Avraham gave a great banquet on the day that Yitz’chak was weaned. 9 But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom Hagar had borne to Avraham, making fun of Yitz’chak; 10 so Sarah said to Avraham, “Throw this slave-girl out! And her son! I will not have this slave-girl’s son as your heir along with my son Yitz’chak!”
11 Avraham became very distressed over this matter of his son. 12 But G-d said to Avraham, “Don’t be distressed because of the boy and your slave-girl. Listen to everything Sarah says to you, because it is your descendants through Yitz’chak who will be counted. 13 But I will also make a nation from the son of the slave-girl, since he is descended from you.”
14 Avraham got up early in the morning, took bread and a skin of water and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child; then he sent her away. After leaving, she wandered in the desert around Be’er-Sheva. 15 When the water in the skin was gone, she left the child under a bush, 16 and went and sat down, looking the other way, about a bow-shot’s distance from him; because she said, “I can’t bear to watch my child die.” So she sat there, looking the other way, crying out and weeping. 17 G-d heard the boy’s voice, and the angel of G-d called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What’s wrong with you, Hagar? Don’t be afraid, because G-d has heard the voice of the boy in his present situation. 18 Get up, lift the boy up, and hold him tightly in your hand, because I am going to make him a great nation.” 19 Then G-d opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. So she went, filled the skin with water and gave the boy water to drink.
20 G-d was with the boy, and he grew. He lived in the desert and became an archer. 21 He lived in the Pa’ran Desert, and his mother chose a wife for him from the land of Egypt.
(vi) 22 At that time Avimelekh and Pikhol the commander of his army spoke to Avraham. They said, “G-d is with you in everything you do. 23 Therefore, swear to me here by G-d that you will never deal falsely with me or with my son or grandson; but according to the kindness with which I have treated you, you will treat me and the land in which you have lived as a foreigner. 24 Avraham said, “I swear it.”
25 Now Avraham had complained to Avimelekh about a well which Avimelekh’s servants had seized. 26 Avimelekh answered, “I don’t know who has done this. You didn’t tell me, and I heard about it only today.” 27 Avraham took sheep and cattle and gave them to Avimelekh, and the two of them made a covenant. 28 Avraham put seven female lambs from the flock by themselves. 29 Avimelekh asked Avraham, “What is the meaning of these seven female lambs you have put by themselves?” 30 He answered, “You are to accept these seven female lambs from me as witness that I dug this well.” 31 This is why that place was called Be’er-Sheva [well of seven, well of an oath] — because they both swore an oath there. 32 When they made the covenant at Be’er-Sheva, Avimelekh departed with Pikhol the commander of his army and returned to the land of the P’lishtim. 33 Avraham planted a tamarisk tree in Be’er-Sheva, and there he called on the name of Adonai, the everlasting God. 34 Avraham lived for a long time as a foreigner in the land of the P’lishtim.
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Abraham’s Relationships: Examples For Today
I had read this chapter twice actually on the third time, the Holy Spirit said, “Relationships,” and I paused. I then saw it. In Life, we will have many types of relationships, some permanent, some temporary, familial in nature, friendships, business partners, associations, etc. And while they all have different purposes, we have to deal with them all as the Most High commands. Every relationship serves a purpose in our walk and is part of our eternal record of deeds. Do we as G-d’s people deal with others in righteousness (righteous deeds) which is the fine linen that weaves our wedding garment in Revelation 19:7-8?
That is the topic of today’s post. It popped off the page this morning. We had talked about the miracle of Yitz’chak (Isaac) being born, a few days ago, as promised by the Most High when Abraham was 100. Yet, he had another son, Ishmael who was now a circumcised teenager as well. That child came from Abraham listening to his wife Sarah attempting to “fix her fertility issue” or “trying to help G-d” by giving her slave-girl, Hagar to her husband. Be clear, G-d did not command that be done, and no where does it record the Most High was consulted or confirmed the decision, this was human intervention in the plan of the Most High.
Genesis 16:16 lets us know it had been 11 years (when Ishmael was born) since the Most High told Abraham he would have a child (see Genesis 12:4). Now 14 years after Ishmael, the seed of promise, Isaac, has arrived and controversy happens (Ishmael is teasing Isaac). Immediately Sarah commanded Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away, and this time, Abraham got instruction from G-d to listen to his wife and send Hagar and Ishmael away.
First point, when we listen to people and not consult G-d, that can lead to serious consequences. It is imperative that we follow the Most High in family planning, family matters, every situation. Abraham had two children by different women, and as a woman that speaks “trouble” without having any other details. In today’s vernacular “baby mama drama” and baby daddy drama” cause lots of tension and family relationship issues. This type of family dynamic (multiple wives, children by different women, jealousy and rivalry among the siblings) became an issue with other patriarchs like Jacob, David, and Solomon. We see how complex family structures became a problem that is still playing out in the world today and have eternal consequences.
Second point, husbands it is important to listen to the advice of your wife (and vice versa wives), but make sure you consult G-d before executing the instructions. It may not be as serious as Abraham’s issue, but the Most High should be the ultimate decision maker in the marriage.
Getting back to Abraham, I could not imagine the hurt Abraham now felt to send away a child he had grown to love and spent time with for fourteen years. Abraham and Ishmael had just been circumcised a year ago and now he has to let him go. Part of me believes Abraham was hoping G-d would change His mind and make Ishmael the promised heir (that could be my wishful thinking). I would have been concerned if Abraham was not grieved and distressed. Yet, the next point is when the Most High says it is time for a relationship to end, no matter how painful the split may be, obedience is the best answer. G-d knows when a relationship has served its purpose. And, the beauty of this situation is that Abraham had to let them go, but the Most High promised Ishmael would become a great nation too, because he was Abraham’s seed. And Genesis 25:12-18 details that from Ishmael, 12 tribal rulers were born; the Most High is a promise keeper. He knows what all parties in a relationship need. Sometimes it is to go separate ways. Amein.
Lastly, the chapter ends with a different type of relationship dynamic, but just as important, a neighbor and business situation turned political confrontation. Abraham had to deal with Avimelekh, the Philistine king who controlled the territory where Abraham resided. There was a dispute over a well, and the result of the situation becomes the covenant at Be’er-Sheva. Abraham blessed the king with sheep and cattle and seven female lambs as an offering that his word was true that he, Abraham, had dug the well. Verses 31 and 32 tells us that place became known as Be’er-Sheva [well of seven, well of an oath] — because they (Abraham and Avimelekh) both swore an oath there, an oath of peace. How do you know it could have gone the other way and started an act of war, the next verse lets us know that Avimelekh, the king, and Pikhol, the commander of the king’s army returned home. Abraham had dealt in truth and righteousness and the Most High had granted peace. There Abraham called on G-d and lived a long time in peace in the Philistines territory. We too are called to deal peaceably with others and handle our business affairs in a godly manner, and Abraham had done so. We can settle serious matters without destroying peace and harmony each time we confront others (cf. Matthew 5:9; Romans 12:18, 14:19; Hebrews 12:14). That is something I am hopeful the nations could learn today.
Relationships matter to the Most High, and He wants us to handle them all in holiness and righteousness as all of our deeds have an eternal impact and often consequences too.
Happy Wednesday, Family! I pray this blesses you as it did me today. I feel like all of my posts lately need to be a short book🥰.
Happy Wednesday, Family!
Shalom Aleikhem
This song, Trey McLaughlin “More Like Him” is on repeat in my spirit today!
Excellent read, Apostle!