There is much that has been said and more written about the
birth of Isaac and the resulting quasi-nuclear family of Abraham, Sarah, Hagar,
Isaac and Ishmael. For me in this
reading two things stick out. First, God
fulfils his promises and second, God opens our eyes.
Through the birth of Isaac God fulfils his covenant with
Abraham and with the rescue of Ishmael his promise to Hagar. Both of these promises are fulfilled in
rather unusual ways. The promise to
Abraham was delayed until Abraham was 100 years old. We are not told how old Sarah is which you
might think was more important as she was the one who conceived and gave birth. However, it is one – the first – of many
stories in the bible of God acting in the lives of people when they might have
given up hope. As we have just passed
Candlemas, Simeon and Anna come to mind.
It looked rather hopeless for God promise to Hagar. She was thrown out into the wilderness with
almost nothing after Abraham listened to God.
This seemingly rash act turned out for the best – apparently according
to God’s plan - because he opened Hagar’s eyes and enabled her to see what was
right in front of her – a well of water.
In all this I wonder what God has in mind for me. In terms of age I have more in common with
Abraham than Isaac. It is comforting as
well as a bit disconcerting to believe that God has lots left for me to do in
my life. I certainly know that as my
wife Lorna points out occasionally I don’t always have eyes to see what is in
front of my nose. Perhaps God will give
me eyes to see what he has in mind for the next part of life. Perhaps the best is yet to come. Perhaps this is just God's sense of Holy Humour shining through and we can laugh with Sarah. 
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