INTRODUCTION:  Abraham is maturing in his life.  These two chapters deal with things in his life that are coming to some kind of completion.  His life is bearing the fruit he has planted - for good or bad.

1. A SECRET SIN DISCOVERED (Genesis 20:1-18 [1] And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar. [2] And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah. [3] But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man's wife. [4] But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, LORD, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation? [5] Said he not unto me, She is my sister? and she, even she herself said, He is my brother: in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this. [6] And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her. [7] Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine. [8] Therefore Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ears: and the men were sore afraid. [9] Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said unto him, What hast thou done unto us? and what have I offended thee, that thou hast brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? thou hast done deeds unto me that ought not to be done. [10] And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing? [11] And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife's sake. [12] And yet indeed she is my sister; she is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife. [13] And it came to pass, when God caused me to wander from my father's house, that I said unto her, This is thy kindness which thou shalt shew unto me; at every place whither we shall come, say of me, He is my brother. [14] And Abimelech took sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and womenservants, and gave them unto Abraham, and restored him Sarah his wife. [15] And Abimelech said, Behold, my land is before thee: dwell where it pleaseth thee. [16] And unto Sarah he said, Behold, I have given thy brother a thousand pieces of silver: behold, he is to thee a covering of the eyes, unto all that are with thee, and with all other: thus she was reproved. [17] So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children. [18] For the LORD had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham's wife.
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1. Abraham Lies Again (Genesis 20:1-2 [1] And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar. [2] And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah.
   See All...; Genesis 12:10-13 [10] And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land. [11] And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon: [12] Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This is his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive. [13] Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee.
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1. Abraham journeyed to the south (Genesis 20:1And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar.
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1. Abraham journeyed from the plains of Mamre (Genesis 18:1And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;
   See All...) which is in Hebron (Genesis 13:18Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the LORD.
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2. Abraham dwelt between Kadesh and Shur and soujourned in Gerar.
2. Abraham’s lie (Genesis 20:2And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah.
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1. Abraham says Sarah is his sister.
1. This is not the first time that we know Abraham lied about Sarah (Genesis 12:11-13 [11] And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon: [12] Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This is his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive. [13] Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee.
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2. They told this lie everywhere they went (Genesis 20:13And it came to pass, when God caused me to wander from my father's house, that I said unto her, This is thy kindness which thou shalt shew unto me; at every place whither we shall come, say of me, He is my brother.
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3. This lie had an element of truth to it (Genesis 20:12And yet indeed she is my sister; she is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife.
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4. Abraham’s lie was repeated by Isaac (Genesis 26:6-7 [6] And Isaac dwelt in Gerar: [7] And the men of the place asked him of his wife; and he said, She is my sister: for he feared to say, She is my wife; lest, said he, the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah; because she was fair to look upon.
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1. Both told this lie in Gerar (Genesis 20:1-2 [1] And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar. [2] And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah.
   See All...; Genesis 26:6-7 [6] And Isaac dwelt in Gerar: [7] And the men of the place asked him of his wife; and he said, She is my sister: for he feared to say, She is my wife; lest, said he, the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah; because she was fair to look upon.
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2. Both were found out by Abimelech (Genesis 20:3But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man's wife.
   See All...; Genesis 26:8-9 [8] And it came to pass, when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out at a window, and saw, and, behold, Isaac was sporting with Rebekah his wife. [9] And Abimelech called Isaac, and said, Behold, of a surety she is thy wife; and how saidst thou, She is my sister? And Isaac said unto him, Because I said, Lest I die for her.
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3. Both lied because of a lack of faith.
2. The king of Gerar sent and took Sarah.
2. God Covers for Abraham (Genesis 20:3-7 [3] But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man's wife. [4] But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, LORD, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation? [5] Said he not unto me, She is my sister? and she, even she herself said, He is my brother: in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this. [6] And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her. [7] Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine.
   See All...).
1. Abimelech’s dream (Genesis 20:3But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man's wife.
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1. God came to Abimelech in a dream by night.
2. God told Abimelech that he was but a dead man for taking Sarah.
2. Abimelech’s response (Genesis 20:4-5 [4] But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, LORD, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation? [5] Said he not unto me, She is my sister? and she, even she herself said, He is my brother: in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this.
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1. Abimelech had not come near to her (Genesis 20:4But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, LORD, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation?
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2. Abimelech’s knowledge of God’s righteous judgment (Genesis 20:4But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, LORD, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation?
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3. Abimelech’s innocence versus Abraham and Sarah’s guilt (Genesis 20:5Said he not unto me, She is my sister? and she, even she herself said, He is my brother: in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this.
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3. Abimelech’s next dream (Genesis 20:6-7 [6] And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her. [7] Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine.
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1. God protected Abimelech because of the integrity of his heart (Genesis 20:6And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her.
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2. God’s requirement of the restoration of Sarah (Genesis 20:7Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine.
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1. Abimelech was to restore Sarah to Abraham.
2. Abraham was a prophet and would pray for Abimelech that he might live.
3. If Abimelech did not restore Sarah, then he and all his family would die.
3. Abraham Is Confronted with His Sin (Genesis 20:8-13 [8] Therefore Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ears: and the men were sore afraid. [9] Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said unto him, What hast thou done unto us? and what have I offended thee, that thou hast brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? thou hast done deeds unto me that ought not to be done. [10] And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing? [11] And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife's sake. [12] And yet indeed she is my sister; she is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife. [13] And it came to pass, when God caused me to wander from my father's house, that I said unto her, This is thy kindness which thou shalt shew unto me; at every place whither we shall come, say of me, He is my brother.
   See All...; Psalm 90:8Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance.
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1. Abimelech informed his servants of the dream (Genesis 20:8Therefore Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ears: and the men were sore afraid.
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2. Abimelech questioned Abraham concerning the lie (Genesis 20:9-10 [9] Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said unto him, What hast thou done unto us? and what have I offended thee, that thou hast brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? thou hast done deeds unto me that ought not to be done. [10] And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing?
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3. The motive behind Abraham’s lie (Genesis 20:11And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife's sake.
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4. The element of truth in Abraham’s lie (Genesis 20:12And yet indeed she is my sister; she is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife.
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5. The agreement between Abraham and Sarah (Genesis 20:13And it came to pass, when God caused me to wander from my father's house, that I said unto her, This is thy kindness which thou shalt shew unto me; at every place whither we shall come, say of me, He is my brother.
   See All...)
4. Abraham Is Sent Away (Genesis 20:14-18 [14] And Abimelech took sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and womenservants, and gave them unto Abraham, and restored him Sarah his wife. [15] And Abimelech said, Behold, my land is before thee: dwell where it pleaseth thee. [16] And unto Sarah he said, Behold, I have given thy brother a thousand pieces of silver: behold, he is to thee a covering of the eyes, unto all that are with thee, and with all other: thus she was reproved. [17] So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children. [18] For the LORD had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham's wife.
   See All...).
1. Abimelech gave gifts to Abraham (Genesis 20:14-15 [14] And Abimelech took sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and womenservants, and gave them unto Abraham, and restored him Sarah his wife. [15] And Abimelech said, Behold, my land is before thee: dwell where it pleaseth thee.
   See All...).
2. Abimelech reproved Sarah (Genesis 20:16And unto Sarah he said, Behold, I have given thy brother a thousand pieces of silver: behold, he is to thee a covering of the eyes, unto all that are with thee, and with all other: thus she was reproved.
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3. Abraham prayed for Abimelech (Genesis 20:17-18 [17] So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children. [18] For the LORD had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham's wife.
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1. God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his maidservants so that they could bare children (Genesis 20:17So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children.
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2. The Lord had closed all of the wombs of the house of Abimelech (Genesis 20:18For the LORD had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham's wife.
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5. The Danger of Secret Sins (Psalm 19:12-13 [12] Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. [13] Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
   See All...; Joshua 7:1But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel.
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2. THE FULFILMENT OF GOD’S PROMISE (Genesis 21:1-8 [1] And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken. [2] For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him. [3] And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac. [4] And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old, as God had commanded him. [5] And Abraham was an hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him. [6] And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me. [7] And she said, Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have given children suck? for I have born him a son in his old age. [8] And the child grew, and was weaned: and Abraham made a great feast the same day that Isaac was weaned.
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1. Sarah Bares a Son (Genesis 21:1-2 [1] And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken. [2] For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.
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1. According to God’s promise (Genesis 21:1And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken.
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2. According to God’s time (Genesis 21:2For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.
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2. The Faithfulness Surrounding Isaac (Genesis 21:3-5 [3] And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac. [4] And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old, as God had commanded him. [5] And Abraham was an hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him.
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1. Abraham was faithful in naming his son (Genesis 21:3And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac.
   See All...; Genesis 17:19And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.
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2. Abraham was faithful in circumcising his son (Genesis 21:4And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old, as God had commanded him.
   See All...; Genesis 17:12And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.
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3. God was faithful to fulfill His promise (Genesis 21:5And Abraham was an hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him.
   See All...; Genesis 17:17Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?
   See All..., 21).
3. Rejoicing in the Blessing of a Son (Genesis 21:6-8 [6] And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me. [7] And she said, Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have given children suck? for I have born him a son in his old age. [8] And the child grew, and was weaned: and Abraham made a great feast the same day that Isaac was weaned.
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1. Isaac’s name connected to laughter (Genesis 21:6And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me.
   See All...; Genesis 17:17Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?
   See All...; Genesis 18:12Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?
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2. Sarah’s joy in bearing a child for Abraham (Genesis 21:7And she said, Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have given children suck? for I have born him a son in his old age.
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3. A feast was provided for Isaac on the day he was weaned (Genesis 21:8And the child grew, and was weaned: and Abraham made a great feast the same day that Isaac was weaned.
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4. God Always Fulfills His Promises (Genesis 18:9-14 [9] And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent. [10] And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him. [11] Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. [12] Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also? [13] And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old? [14] Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.
   See All...; Romans 4:16-22 [16] Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, [17] (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. [18] Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. [19] And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb: [20] He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; [21] And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. [22] And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
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3. FINAL SEPARATIONS ARE MADE (Genesis 21:9-21 [9] And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking. [10] Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac. [11] And the thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight because of his son. [12] And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called. [13] And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed. [14] 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. [15] And the water was spent in the bottle, and she cast the child under one of the shrubs. [16] And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bow shot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept. [17] And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is. [18] Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation. [19] And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink. [20] And God was with the lad; and he grew, and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer. [21] And he dwelt in the wilderness of Paran: and his mother took him a wife out of the land of Egypt.
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1. Ishmael Mocks Isaac (Genesis 21:9-11 [9] And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking. [10] Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac. [11] And the thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight because of his son.
   See All...; cp. Genesis 16:4And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.
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1. Sarah witnessed Ishmael mocking (Genesis 21:9And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking.
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2. Sarah requested that Abraham send away Hagar and Ishmael (Genesis 21:10Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac.
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3. Abraham was grieved because of Sarah’s words (Genesis 21:11And the thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight because of his son.
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2. Abraham Is Told to Listen to Sarah (Genesis 21:12-13 [12] And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called. [13] And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed.
   See All...; cp. Genesis 16:1-2 [1] Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar. [2] And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.
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1. Abraham’s seed to be in Isaac (Genesis 21:12And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.
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2. God’s promise concerning Ishmael (Genesis 21:13And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed.
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3. Hagar and Ishmael are Sent Away (Genesis 21:14-16 [14] 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. [15] And the water was spent in the bottle, and she cast the child under one of the shrubs. [16] And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bow shot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept.
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1. Hagar and Ishmael sent out with bread and water (Genesis 21:14And 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.
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2. Hagar and Ishmael wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba (Genesis 21:14And 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.
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3. The water was spent and Ishmael was cast under a shrub (Genesis 21:15And the water was spent in the bottle, and she cast the child under one of the shrubs.
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4. Hagar went a good way off so as to not see the death of her son (Genesis 21:16And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bow shot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept.
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5. Hagar lifted up her voice and wept (Genesis 21:16And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bow shot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept.
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4. God Delivers Hagar and Ishmael (Genesis 21:17-21 [17] And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is. [18] Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation. [19] And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink. [20] And God was with the lad; and he grew, and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer. [21] And he dwelt in the wilderness of Paran: and his mother took him a wife out of the land of Egypt.
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1. God heard the voice of the lad (Genesis 21:17And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is.
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1. The scripture says that Hagar lifted up her voice and wept (Genesis 21:16And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bow shot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept.
   See All...).
2. Yet the Lord says that He heard the voice of the lad (Genesis 21:17And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is.
   See All...).
3. Ishmael is either 13 or 14 years of age at this time (Genesis 17:25And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
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2. The angel of God speaks to Hagar out of heaven (Genesis 21:17And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is.
   See All...).
3. The promise of God concerning the life of Ishmael (Genesis 21:18Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation.
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4. God’s provision of water for Ishmael and Hagar (Genesis 21:19And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink.
   See All...)
5. The life of Ishmael (Genesis 21:20-21 [20] And God was with the lad; and he grew, and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer. [21] And he dwelt in the wilderness of Paran: and his mother took him a wife out of the land of Egypt.
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1. God was with him (Genesis 21:20And God was with the lad; and he grew, and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer.
   See All...).
2. He dwelt in the wilderness of Paran (Genesis 21:20-21 [20] And God was with the lad; and he grew, and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer. [21] And he dwelt in the wilderness of Paran: and his mother took him a wife out of the land of Egypt.
   See All...).
3. He became an archer (Genesis 21:20And God was with the lad; and he grew, and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer.
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4. His mother took him a wife out of the land of Egypt (Genesis 21:21And he dwelt in the wilderness of Paran: and his mother took him a wife out of the land of Egypt.
   See All...).
5. Separations Sometimes Must Be Made (Genesis 12:1Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
   See All...; Genesis 13:7-9 [7] And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land. [8] And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren. [9] Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.
   See All...; Romans 12:18If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
   See All...).
4. TWO OPPONENTS COME TO TERMS (Genesis 21:22-34 [22] And it came to pass at that time, that Abimelech and Phichol the chief captain of his host spake unto Abraham, saying, God is with thee in all that thou doest: [23] Now therefore swear unto me here by God that thou wilt not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son's son: but according to the kindness that I have done unto thee, thou shalt do unto me, and to the land wherein thou hast sojourned. [24] And Abraham said, I will swear. [25] And Abraham reproved Abimelech because of a well of water, which Abimelech's servants had violently taken away. [26] And Abimelech said, I wot not who hath done this thing; neither didst thou tell me, neither yet heard I of it, but to day. [27] And Abraham took sheep and oxen, and gave them unto Abimelech; and both of them made a covenant. [28] And Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves. [29] And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What mean these seven ewe lambs which thou hast set by themselves? [30] And he said, For these seven ewe lambs shalt thou take of my hand, that they may be a witness unto me, that I have digged this well. [31] Wherefore he called that place Beersheba; because there they sware both of them. [32] Thus they made a covenant at Beersheba: then Abimelech rose up, and Phichol the chief captain of his host, and they returned into the land of the Philistines. [33] And Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God. [34] And Abraham sojourned in the Philistines' land many days.
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1. Abimelech Seeks a Covenant (Genesis 21:22-24 [22] And it came to pass at that time, that Abimelech and Phichol the chief captain of his host spake unto Abraham, saying, God is with thee in all that thou doest: [23] Now therefore swear unto me here by God that thou wilt not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son's son: but according to the kindness that I have done unto thee, thou shalt do unto me, and to the land wherein thou hast sojourned. [24] And Abraham said, I will swear.
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1. Abimelech approached Abraham concerning an agreement (Genesis 21:22And it came to pass at that time, that Abimelech and Phichol the chief captain of his host spake unto Abraham, saying, God is with thee in all that thou doest:
   See All...).
2. Abimelech asked Abraham that he would not deal with him falsely (Genesis 21:23Now therefore swear unto me here by God that thou wilt not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son's son: but according to the kindness that I have done unto thee, thou shalt do unto me, and to the land wherein thou hast sojourned.
   See All...).
3. Abraham agreed (Genesis 21:24And Abraham said, I will swear.
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2. Abraham Reproves Abimelech (Genesis 21:25-26 [25] And Abraham reproved Abimelech because of a well of water, which Abimelech's servants had violently taken away. [26] And Abimelech said, I wot not who hath done this thing; neither didst thou tell me, neither yet heard I of it, but to day.
   See All...).
1. Abraham reproved Abimelech over a well of water (Genesis 21:25And Abraham reproved Abimelech because of a well of water, which Abimelech's servants had violently taken away.
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2. Abimelech’s servants had violently taken away a well (Genesis 21:25And Abraham reproved Abimelech because of a well of water, which Abimelech's servants had violently taken away.
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3. Abimelech had no knowledge of this event until now (Genesis 21:26And Abimelech said, I wot not who hath done this thing; neither didst thou tell me, neither yet heard I of it, but to day.
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4. Sometimes, we need to air our differences (Proverbs 27:5-6 [5] Open rebuke is better than secret love. [6] Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
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3. They Make a Covenant at Beersheba (Genesis 21:27-32 [27] And Abraham took sheep and oxen, and gave them unto Abimelech; and both of them made a covenant. [28] And Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves. [29] And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What mean these seven ewe lambs which thou hast set by themselves? [30] And he said, For these seven ewe lambs shalt thou take of my hand, that they may be a witness unto me, that I have digged this well. [31] Wherefore he called that place Beersheba; because there they sware both of them. [32] Thus they made a covenant at Beersheba: then Abimelech rose up, and Phichol the chief captain of his host, and they returned into the land of the Philistines.
   See All...).
1. Abraham gave sheep and oxen to Abimelech and both of them made a covenant (Genesis 21:27And Abraham took sheep and oxen, and gave them unto Abimelech; and both of them made a covenant.
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2. The seven ewe lambs (Genesis 21:28-30 [28] And Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves. [29] And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What mean these seven ewe lambs which thou hast set by themselves? [30] And he said, For these seven ewe lambs shalt thou take of my hand, that they may be a witness unto me, that I have digged this well.
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1. Set out by themselves (Genesis 21:28And Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves.
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2. The confusion of Abimelech (Genesis 21:29And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What mean these seven ewe lambs which thou hast set by themselves?
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3. The testimony of the seven ewe lambs (Genesis 21:30And he said, For these seven ewe lambs shalt thou take of my hand, that they may be a witness unto me, that I have digged this well.
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3. The naming of the place Beersheba - Beersheba means the well of the oath (Genesis 21:31Wherefore he called that place Beersheba; because there they sware both of them.
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4. Abimelech and Phichol return to the land of the Philistines (Genesis 21:32Thus they made a covenant at Beersheba: then Abimelech rose up, and Phichol the chief captain of his host, and they returned into the land of the Philistines.
   See All...).
4. Abraham Plants a Grove and Calls on the Lord (Genesis 21:33-34 [33] And Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God. [34] And Abraham sojourned in the Philistines' land many days.
   See All...).
1. Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba (Genesis 21:33And Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God.
   See All...).
2. Abraham called there on the name of the Lord (Genesis 21:33And Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God.
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3. The name everlasting God (Genesis 21:33And Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God.
   See All...; Isaiah 40:28Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
   See All...; Romans 16:26But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
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4. Abraham sojourned in the Philistines’ land many days (Genesis 21:34And Abraham sojourned in the Philistines' land many days.
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CONCLUSION:  What are the loose ends in your life that need to be tied up?  These can be things that will one day destroy or seriously hurt you.  They may be conflicts that have been going on for a long time.  Do you need to separate and take different paths, or do you need to come to terms and make some sort of agreement?  Perhaps there is an area where you have relied on the promises of God, but nothing has happened yet.  You need to renew your confidence in God and rest on His promises.  Life bears fruit (Galatians 6:7-9 [7] Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. [8] For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. [9] And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
See All...).  What are you sowing?