Finally, the promise of God to Abraham is fulfilled, and Sarah gives birth to a son, Isaac. This brings about big changes in Abraham’s household. By the time Isaac is two or three years old, Hagar and Ishmael have been sent away, reliant on God for their survival, and for the fulfilment of his promises to them.

Something else changes as well. Abraham has another encounter with Abimelech, the same ruler that we read about in chapter 20. In that meeting, Abraham had been so afraid of Abimelech that he had pretended his wife was his sister. This time, they meet on an equal footing. Abraham has prospered in the land and Abimelech now approaches him to make a treaty, and to ensure that Abraham would treat him fairly.

Abimelech recognises that God is with Abraham. Perhaps this is because of Abraham’s growing wealth and success. Maybe he has heard about Abraham’s miracle child, born to a couple in extreme old age. The two powerful men make a treaty that secures Abraham’s rights to the well that he dug at Beersheba.

This may not seem very significant, but to a nomad in a dry land, a well is water, and water is life. Abimelech’s action in making this treaty showed that he believed Abraham’s family was there to stay. Abraham’s action in planting a tamarind tree by the well confirmed this. The treaty at Beersheba means that Abraham can settle in the land.

Not only has God’s promise to provide Abraham with an heir been fulfilled, but now Abraham is beginning to take hold of the land that God had also promised to him and his descendants. He is putting down roots in the land of promise. Abraham has waited a long time to begin to see God’s promises fulfilled, but he has been patient, and God has been faithful.

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NEWBOLD COMMUNITY CHURCH