Definition: And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Genesis 21:12. It’s a really significant passage about God’s plan and how it will unfold over time. Here's an explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is about God’s foresight and how he wants to create a lasting, connected line of descendants through Abraham. It’s saying that God has a very clear idea of what will happen and that Sarah’s guidance will be crucial for the future. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “And God said unto Abraham…” : This is God speaking directly to Abraham, who was about to leave Ur and travel across the wilderness to find a place to settle. “…Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad…” : This part means that Abraham needs to understand this situation isn’t immediately easy or upsetting. He's facing a challenge with his son, Isaac. It’s about him seeing it as difficult or painful. “Grievous” here refers to something that causes sadness and worry. “…and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee…” : This is where the importance of Sarah comes in. Sarah, Abraham's wife, is providing guidance and advice. God wants to know what she thinks about this situation. It’s saying that Sarah’s words are important too. “for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.” : This is the key part! God is promising a future generation – Isaac – who will be a direct descendant of Abraham through his son, Isaac. “Seed” means offspring or descendants. So, God intends that Isaac's line will continue forever and become a powerful group of people. In simpler terms: God sees that having a son (Isaac) will create a long and important family line. He wants to make sure Sarah’s guidance is considered, because it’s essential for the continuation of this lineage. It's about establishing a connection between Abraham and his descendants through Isaac. Why is this verse important? This verse speaks to themes of: Divine Foresight: God knows what will happen in advance and has a plan for everything. Guidance & Responsibility: Sarah’s words are valuable because they provide direction for the future. Legacy & Continuity: It highlights the idea that God intends for his descendants to continue living and influencing the world. Do you want me to explain any of these points in more detail, or perhaps explore a specific aspect of this verse? For example, would you like me to: Explain the symbolism behind "seed"? Discuss the significance of Sarah's role?