« | Genesis 21 | » |
1 GOD visited Sarah exactly as he said he would; GOD did to Sarah what he promised:
2 Sarah became pregnant and gave Abraham a son in his old age, and at the very time God had set.
3 Abraham named him Isaac.
4 When his son was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him just as God had commanded.
5 Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born.
6 Sarah said, God has blessed me with laughter and all who get the news will laugh with me!
7 She also said, Whoever would have suggested to Abraham that Sarah would one day nurse a baby! Yet here I am! I've given the old man a son!
8 The baby grew and was weaned. Abraham threw a big party on the day Isaac was weaned.
9 One day Sarah saw the son that Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham, poking fun at her son Isaac.
10 She told Abraham, "Get rid of this slave woman and her son. No child of this slave is going to share inheritance with my son Isaac!"
11 The matter gave great pain to Abraham--after all, Ishmael was his son.
12 But God spoke to Abraham, "Don't feel badly about the boy and your maid. Do whatever Sarah tells you. Your descendants will come through Isaac.
13 Regarding your maid's son, be assured that I'll also develop a great nation from him--he's your son too."
14 Abraham got up early the next morning, got some food together and a canteen of water for Hagar, put them on her back and sent her away with the child. She wandered off into the desert of Beersheba.
15 When the water was gone, she left the child under a shrub
16 and went off, fifty yards or so. She said, "I can't watch my son die." As she sat, she broke into sobs.
17 Meanwhile, God heard the boy crying. The angel of God called from Heaven to Hagar, "What's wrong, Hagar? Don't be afraid. God has heard the boy and knows the fix he's in.
18 Up now; go get the boy. Hold him tight. I'm going to make of him a great nation."
19 Just then God opened her eyes. She looked. She saw a well of water. She went to it and filled her canteen and gave the boy a long, cool drink.
20 God was on the boy's side as he grew up. He lived out in the desert and became a skilled archer.
21 He lived in the Paran wilderness. And his mother got him a wife from Egypt.
22 At about that same time, Abimelech and the captain of his troops, Phicol, spoke to Abraham: "No matter what you do, God is on your side.
23 So swear to me that you won't do anything underhanded to me or any of my family. For as long as you live here, swear that you'll treat me and my land as well as I've treated you."
24 Abraham said, "I swear it."
25 At the same time, Abraham confronted Abimelech over the matter of a well of water that Abimelech's servants had taken.
26 Abimelech said, "I have no idea who did this; you never told me about it; this is the first I've heard of it."
27 So the two of them made a covenant. Abraham took sheep and cattle and gave them to Abimelech.
28 Abraham set aside seven sheep from his flock.
29 Abimelech said, "What does this mean? These seven sheep you've set aside."
30 Abraham said, "It means that when you accept these seven sheep, you take it as proof that I dug this well, that it's my well."
31 That's how the place got named Beersheba (the Oath-Well), because the two of them swore a covenant oath there.
32 After they had made the covenant at Beersheba, Abimelech and his commander, Phicol, left and went back to Philistine territory.
33 Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba and worshiped GOD there, praying to the Eternal God.
34 Abraham lived in Philistine country for a long time.
The Message (MSG)
The Message (MSG) is a contemporary, paraphrased translation of the Bible, crafted to bring the scriptures to life in modern, conversational English. Developed by pastor and scholar Eugene H. Peterson, The Message was published in segments starting in 1993, with the complete Bible released in 2002. Peterson’s aim was to make the Bible accessible and engaging for today’s readers, breaking down the barriers posed by traditional, formal language. His work sought to capture the original tone, rhythm, and intent of the biblical texts, presenting them in a way that resonates with contemporary audiences.
One of the defining characteristics of The Message is its use of dynamic equivalence, focusing on conveying the thoughts and meanings behind the original texts rather than adhering to a word-for-word translation. This approach allows for the use of idiomatic expressions and modern phrasing, making the scriptures feel more relatable and immediate. Peterson, who had a deep understanding of both the biblical languages and modern culture, aimed to bridge the gap between the ancient world of the Bible and the everyday experiences of today’s readers.
The Message has been praised for its readability and ability to convey the emotional and narrative elements of the Bible in a fresh, vivid manner. Its accessible language makes it particularly appealing to those who might find traditional translations difficult to understand or intimidating. Many readers appreciate The Message for its ability to make familiar passages feel new and impactful, often shedding light on the scriptures in ways that resonate on a personal level. It is frequently used in personal devotions, group studies, and church services where clarity and relatability are paramount.
Despite its popularity, The Message has faced criticism from some scholars and traditionalists who argue that its paraphrased nature can lead to oversimplification and loss of nuance. Critics contend that in striving for contemporary relevance, The Message sometimes departs too far from the original texts, potentially altering the intended meanings. However, supporters of The Message appreciate its ability to engage modern readers and spark interest in the Bible, seeing it as a valuable tool for evangelism and discipleship. Overall, The Message stands out as a bold and innovative translation that has made a significant impact on how many people experience and understand the Bible.