John Calvin Commentary Genesis 21:14

"And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and [gave her] the child, and sent her away. And she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beer-sheba." — Genesis 21:14 (ASV)

And Abraham rose up early. We can gather how painful the wound was, which the expulsion of his firstborn son inflicted on the mind of the holy man, from the double consolation with which God eased his grief: He sends his son into exile as if he were tearing out his own heart.

But being accustomed to obey God, he brings his paternal love, which he cannot completely cast aside, into subjection. This is the true test of faith and piety, when the faithful are compelled to deny themselves to such an extent that they even surrender the very affections of their original nature, which are neither evil nor sinful in themselves, to the will of God.

There is no doubt that, during the whole night, he had been troubled by various anxieties; that he had various internal conflicts and endured severe anguish. Yet he rose early in the morning to hasten his separation from his child, because he knew that it was the will of God.

And took bread, and a bottle of water. Moses indicates not only that Abraham entrusted his son to his mother's care, but also that he relinquished his own paternal right over him. For it was necessary for this son to be alienated, so that he might not afterward be considered the seed of Abraham.

But with what meager provision does he provide for his wife and her son? He places a bottle of water and bread on her shoulder. Why does he not, at least, load a donkey with a moderate supply of food? Why does he not add one of his servants, of whom his house had plenty, as a companion?

Truly, either God closed Abraham's eyes, so that what he would gladly have done might not enter his mind, or Abraham limited her provision so that she might not go far from his house. For undoubtedly, he would prefer to have them near him, to give them such assistance as they would need.

Meanwhile, God intended for Ishmael's exile to be so severe and sorrowful, so that, by his example, He might strike terror into the proud. These, intoxicated by present gifts, in their arrogance trample underfoot the very grace to which they owe everything.

Therefore, He brought the mother and child to dire straits. For after they had wandered into the desert, the water ran out, and the mother leaves her son, which was a sign of despair. Such was the reward for the pride with which they had been vainly filled. It had been their duty to humbly embrace the grace of God, offered to all people in the person of Isaac, but they wickedly spurned him whom God had exalted to the highest honor.

The knowledge of God’s gifts should have shaped their minds toward modesty. And because nothing was more desirable for them than to keep some corner in Abraham’s house, they should not have shrunk from any kind of submission for the sake of such a great benefit. God now inflicts on them the punishment they had deserved for their ingratitude.