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The next link in the chain is only discovered by pondering a series of statement made
elsewhere. First of all we must go back to the fifteenth chapter, where we read:
"Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall
serve them: and they shall afflict them four hundred years" (15: 13).
The 430 years.
We learn from Exod. 12:, and from Gal. 3::
"Now the sojourning of the children of Israel (who dwelt in Egypt) was 430 years"
(Exod. 12: 40).
"The covenant that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law which was 430
years after, could not disannul" (Gal. 3: 17).
The 400 years.
We learn from Gen. 15:, and from Acts 7::
"Thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs (and shall serve them; and
they shall afflict them) 400 years" (Gen. 15: 13).
"His seed should sojourn in a strange land (and they should bring them into bondage
and entreat them evil) 400 years" (Acts 7: 6).
Abraham is included with "the children of Israel" by a figure of speech, for he was a
stranger and a sojourner also.
From Gal. 4: 30 we learn that Isaac became the "heir" at the weaning feast, when
Ishmael mocked. If the Exodus was 430 years after the call (Gen. 12: 1) when he was 75
years old (verse 4), then the date of the Exodus, minus 400, which brings us to the age of
Isaac when he was weaned. We can proceed.
2108
Isaac born. Abraham's 100 years old
5
Add 5 years at Isaac's weaning.
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2113
Isaac weaned. Ishmael cast out.
We must now pause for another computation. Sarah was 90 years when Isaac was
born (17: 17), and she died at the age of 127, (23: 1). Therefore Isaac was 127 90 =
37 years of age at the death of Sarah. We can now continue:
2113
Isaac weaned. Ishmael cast out.
32
Add 32 to the 5 years at Isaac's weaning.
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2145
Sarah died at the age of 127 years.
3
Add 3 years to the 37, as Isaac was 40 years.
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2148
Isaac at his marriage with Rebekah.
20
Add 20 years to the birth of Esau and Jacob.
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2168
Esau and Jacob born. Isaac 60.