1. The Son of Promise

2. Laughing at God’s Promise When Abraham was 99, God told him Sarah (princess) would bear a son (Gen. 17:15-16) –Paul said he hoped against hope (Rom. 4:13-25) –When Abraham suggested Ishmael, God assured him the covenant would be established with Isaac (Gen. 17:17-22) On the plains of Mamre, Sarah also laughed when she heard (Gen. 18:1-15) –The Lord asked if anything was too hard, or literally “wonderful,” for him to do –Sarah came to believe God’s word (Heb. 11:11-12)

3. When Abraham Failed to Trust God Only a book truly from God would report the failings of key followers of God, like Abraham Genesis 20:1-18 tells of a second time Abraham failed to trust God –Ironically, God got him out of trouble Yet, God kept his word and Sarah had a son at the exact time God set (Gen. 21:1- 2)

4. A Child Named Laughter The child of promise was named Isaac, or “laughter” (Genesis 21:3-7) –They had waited 25 years for the child through whom the great nation would come –Sarah laughed with joy because God had given her “children” to nurse Abraham kept the covenant by having Isaac circumcised (Genesis 17:10-12) –Christians must be circumcised in heart (Col. 2:10- 12) to be Jews, or God’s chosen people (Rom. 2:28- 29)

5. Ishmael Was Cast Out Sarah and Abraham had a feast when Isaac was weaned –Ishmael made fun of Isaac –Sarah demanded he be cast out and Abraham complied (Genesis 21:8-21) God heard Hagar weeping after she had placed Ishmael under a bush to die –His angel said Ishmael would be a great nation –He caused her eyes to be opened to a well of water nearby –Ishmael grew up in the wilderness and took a wife of the Egyptians with his mother’s help