Genesis 21:17Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The compassionate and loving God, whose affection for us exceeds that of both father and mother, ‘heard the voice of the boy from where he was,’ showed compassion toward him, and looked with favor upon Hagar's suffering. He permitted her to experience her solitude, yet He swiftly provided her with His assistance.

The remaining details should not lead anyone into confusion. The key point is found in the Hebrew scripture, which states, “I will not see my young man die,” alongside an account of Hagar who sat down facing her son, lifted her voice, and wept, prompting God to hear the voice of the young man. As the mother grieved in anticipation of her son’s death, God listened to the boy’s plea. He had previously promised Abraham regarding this situation, stating, “But I will also make the son of your handmaid into a great nation” (Genesis 17:20). Furthermore, the mother’s mourning was not for herself but for the fate of her child. Thus, God intervened to spare the one for whom the cries of sorrow were directed.

The Lord listens to the pleas of the young boy. Hagar weeps, yet the Lord acknowledges the cries of Ishmael. This is because grace extends from Abraham to Ishmael, no matter where he may be. Though Ishmael has been rejected by his father and abandoned by his mother, God is attentive to his voice wherever he is found.