Who is God?

God is in control, even if his providence does not make sense to human minds (Gen.16.2). God is glorified in Christ Jesus (Mat.15.31b).

Who is Man?

Man often comes up with his own plans when God’s providential designs do not make sense to him (Gen.16.2; cf. Gen.12.10-13). Man is blind and misled (Mat.15.14). He is in need of divine help (Mat.15.16-17; 22).

Where is the Gospel in these passages?

In Genesis 16 the certainty of God’s promise is being set up to stand out against the backdrop of sinful human contrivances (note the parallel between Gen.16.2 and Gen.3.12; cf. the significance of this narrative in Gal.4.21-31). Jesus’ provision now reaches the Gentiles (Mat.15.21ff). They too “all ate and were satisfied,” just as the Jews had been in Matthew 14.20.