Gênesis 21

Gênesis 21

Hughes comments that Abraham's... planting of the (tamarisk) tree was a symbol of fruitfulness and prosperity. Abraham memorialized God as the source of his prosperity. It also demonstrated his rootedness in the land where he indeed stayed “many days.” The title “Everlasting God” (el olam) as a divine designation is unique in the Bible. Abraham’s use of it has to do with the eternal nature of the events in Genesis 20, 21—namely, Isaac’s birth and a covenant relationship that is eternal. Abraham’s God was the Everlasting One whose will for man cannot be thwarted. This awesome view of God would now inform all of Abraham’s dealings. It was this exalted understanding that would be tested in his offering up of Isaac, and that also would help him to stand. (Genesis : Beginning and blessing. Preaching the Word) Pulpit Commentary...the everlasting God—literally, the God of eternity (LXX., Vulgate, Onkelos); not in contrast to heathen deities, who are born and die (Clericus), but “as the everlasting Vindicator of the faith of treaties, and as the infallible Source of the believer’s rest and peace” (Murphy). Matthew Henry describes El Olam as...The Everlasting God, Who was, before all worlds, and will be, when time and days shall be no more. W H Griffith-Thomas comments on Abraham's receipt of a special revelation of God... Abraham now adds on his own account another testimony to his recent experiences. He plants a grove, probably a tamarisk tree, one of the evergreens of the East, and a fit memorial of the perfect peace which he desired between himself, his God, and his fellow-men. But now there came a new revelation of the meaning of his relation to God. In the course of his prayer and communion he learned a new Name of God, and the new Name was no mere additional title, but contained a new truth about God; 'the Everlasting God' (El Olam). He was thus reminded of God's unchangeableness and his dependableness. This was a distinct advance on his previous knowledge of God as ' Most High' (Ge 14:22), and 'Almighty' (Ge 17:1). Thus, in the course of Abraham's daily life and his faithful attitude to those around him, came fresh mercies and blessings and new experiences of his God.... The unspeakable blessedness of new experiences of God.—A profound satisfaction is realised by the believer as he discovers more and more of the glories of God and His grace. The believer is 'ever learning,' and from the moment of his conversion, in proportion to his faithful obedience day by day (see following note for discussion of this vital principle), God becomes better known in all the fulness and manifold variety of His revelation. These new experiences as they come are, however, not merely a matter of personal satisfaction, blessed though that is; they tend to prepare the soul for still greater accomplishments. (THOUGHT) God's revelations are not mere luxuries for personal enjoyment, but are given for the purpose of preparing the soul for fuller service and still clearer testimony for God. We shall see how this new revelation of God to Abraham was a distinct preparation for a crisis that was to come in his life. It is the same today. God reveals Himself more and more fully in order that we may be more and more thoroughly equipped for greater efforts in the kingdom of God. (Genesis 21:22-34 The Daily Round) Warren