Genesis 21

Isaac, the promised son born at the set time

Isaac — he laughs / rejoices (note6_a)

And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken. Genesis 21:1–3

Jehovah keeps His word, and the promised son is born at exactly the time God set. Isaac's miraculous birth foreshadows the Son of God, sent "when the fulness of the time was come."

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a traditional type, cited

• a type of what is in Galatians 4:4 — "When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman."
• alluded to by Hebrews 11:11-12 — Through faith Sarah received strength to conceive when she was past age.

Children of promise (Galatians allegory)

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. Genesis 21:10–12

Paul says this story is an allegory: Hagar's son stands for bondage under the law, and Isaac stands for the free children of the promise, whom Christ makes free. God also tells Abraham the covenant seed will come through Isaac.

How we know: another scripture interprets it of Him · a footnote points to Him

• interpreted by Galatians 4:22-31 — "Which things are an allegory"; the children of the freewoman.
• quoted by Galatians 4:30 — "Cast out the bondwoman and her son."
• quoted by Romans 9:7 — "In Isaac shall thy seed be called."
• quoted by Hebrews 11:18 — The same words, set in the account of Abraham offering Isaac.

Angel of God

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. Genesis 21:17–18

The heavenly messenger speaks to Hagar again, as the angel of the LORD had in Genesis 16, and promises in God's own voice, "I will make him a great nation." The Lord hears a crying child in the wilderness.

How we know: a traditional type, cited · the chapter heading names Him

Jehovah, the Everlasting God

El Olam — the Everlasting God

And Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God. Genesis 21:33

At Beer-sheba, Abraham worships Jehovah as the Everlasting God. The premortal Christ is eternal, without beginning or end.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4) · a traditional type, cited · a footnote points to Him

• the same title in Isaiah 40:28 — "The everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth."