Today's reading is from Genesis 20-22.
I am still learning to use my new Chronological Bible.
There is so much information, especially background information about the culture and society, that I could never relay all of it. But, if you are interested in buying a chronological Bible there are a number of them out there.
I have a Nelson, (KJV) study Bible that I have used now for several years and really like it. So I also purchased a Nelson, (New KJV) Chronological study Bible.

I think I am going to try and read through all the commentary as well and give you more information about the people and the culture instead of going verse by verse. You can read the text on your own and perhaps the background information will make it easier to understand and relate to.

For instance Nelson says that "There are no adequate modern parallels to the broad-ranging meanings of the term "covenant" as used in the Bible. The closest parallel probably reside in marriage, where a public gathering solemnizes an agreement between two people. The type of covenant presented in the Bible is most often between two parties. The superior party was known as the "suzerain" (this would be God, in the Abrahamic covenant); the inferior party as the "vassal" (this would be Abraham in the covenant between he and God). Both the suzerain and the vassal had specific responsibilities. Primarily, in ancient societies, the suzerain provided protection for the vassal, while the vassal supported the suzerain with taxes and was loyal in time of war. The Lord and Abram joined themselves in a suzerain and vassal covenant (Gen. 15:18). Like similar ancient Near Eastern covenants they held a public ceremony to ratify their relationship which included the sacrifice of animals and a meal (15:9.10) were the typical components of the covenant ceremonies, as were the promises of both parties. Abrams part of this agreement was to "believe" in the Lord (15:6) which meant to worship no other gods. The Lord promised Abram to make his descendants as numerous as the stars (15:5) and provide a homeland for them (15:18)"

A note on the birth of Isaac:
Both Sarah and Abraham in (Genesis 17:17) laughed in disbelief that a couple well past childbearing age should bear a son. Yet in fulfillment of God's promise, Abraham at at 100 and Sarah at 90 (Gen. 17:17; 21:1-5).
Sarah's first concern was for her new son's status as Abraham's heir, a status threatened by Hagar's son Ishmael (21:9,10) another consequence for doubting that God would keep his promise. Ishmael was now about 14 years old, being 13 at his circumcision. (17:24,25)

An ancient Near Eastern law code describes the practice of giving one's maid as a second wife (Gen. 16:1) The law provided protection for children born to the second wife. it prohibited the disinheriting of a firstborn son of a slave wife (Ishmael) in the event that the barren upper-class wife should later bear a son (Isaac).

However, the upper-class wife's son would supersede the slave wife's son as the legal "firstborn." We see the example of this in Gen. 21:1-24:67) And Isaac becomes the legal heir to Abraham and received the inheritance and the blessing.

How complicated things could be then!! I'm glad that the laws are different now, I can't imagine having to deal with more than one "wife" in our household.
My poor husband would undoubtedly agree!

One other note of interest in the relationship between the two wives and the two sons and Abraham. God came to Abraham (21:12-13) and told Abraham ""in Isaac your seed shall be called. Yet I will also make a nation of the son of the bondwoman, because he is your see." Remember the covenant, "his descendants would be as many as the stars" Now, instead of one bloodline, there will be two; one through Isaac and one through Ishmael. This was God's way of fulfilling the covenant between Himself and Abraham.

Genesis chapter 22 contains one of the most famous stories in the Bible.
The ultimate test of Abraham's faith.
Abraham is told by God to take Isaac (the promised seed of the nation) up into the mountains and sacrifice him. The part of the chapter that reveals the true heart of Abraham toward God is in verses 6-8. Abraham leaves his servants with the donkey and heads up the mountain with his son Isaac, the wood, the fire and a knife. When Isaac questions his father about the sacrifice, Abraham's response is "My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering."
Now, that's true faith. Abraham's heart must have been breaking, but at the same time he totally trusted God.

Have you ever been in a situation where you just knew that something God asked you to do was going to be painful or difficult, but at the same time, you knew in your heart that you were absolutely doing exactly what God told you to, and though it was tough; your heart was filled with the peace that only comes by knowing that God is faithful. I have, many times, and He has never failed to provide enough grace and mercy to get me to the other side of the difficulty.
Don't doubt Him, follow in faith and know that He will be there every step of the way.

Tomorrow's reading will be Genesis 23-26...see you then!!