When Abraham was ninety-nine, God told him he would be the father of many nations, and some descendants would be kings. His name was changed to Abraham, meaning “father of many.” God promised to give him and his descendants the land and instructed him to circumcise all men as a sign. God also said Sarah, his wife, would have a son, whom they would name Isaac. Abraham doubted because they were both very old, but God assured him that Sarah would give birth within a year.

Sarah overheard and laughed, thinking it impossible at her age. God asked Abraham why she laughed and reaffirmed that nothing is too hard for Him. Sure enough, when Abraham was 100 and Sarah was 90, she gave birth to Isaac, whose name means “laughter.”

One day, Sarah saw Ishmael mocking Isaac and demanded Hagar and her son be sent away. Abraham was distressed, but God told him to obey Sarah because Isaac would carry God’s promises. Early the next morning, Abraham sent Hagar and Ishmael into the wilderness with bread and water. When they ran out of water, Hagar despaired, but God heard Ishmael’s cries. An angel told Hagar not to fear and showed her a nearby well. She filled her container and took water to Ishmael. Ishmael grew up, became a skilled archer, and settled in the wilderness. Eventually, Hagar returned to Egypt and found a wife for him.