"And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child. and sent her away: and she departed and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba."
Wow. Here we have the old testament story of Abraham sending away Hagar, Sarah's handmaiden. God had Promised to Abraham years before that He was going to bring forth a child miraculously, and that from him, Abrahams descendants would be God's chosen people. When the promise was made, both Abraham and Sarah were way past child bearing years. Abraham was 100 and Sarah was ninety when it came to pass some 13 years later. In that time though, Sarah had a plan. She believed God but decided to help him accomplish it. She gave Hagar her handmaiden to Abraham to conceive children with. The result of that was Ishmael, the father of the muslims. Isaac and the Jacob were the promised line of the jews. So what does this mean for us? It's a picture of the flesh. Isaac represents how we are to trust and walk after the spirit and Ishmael represents the flesh. Sarah I believe meant well, but didn't think through the promise. It was specific. It was to be from her womb. So now here they are 13 years later with the promise of God fulfilled through Isaac, yet Ishmael, the bible says was mocking him. Sarah then said it's time for them to hit the road Abe. They can't be here no more. You better do something. Abraham, the bible says was grieved. Think about it. Here's his son of 13 years. His first son who he poured his life into, taught him how to be a man and how to be a father. Now he has to kick him out. I can't imagine the heartache he must have felt. God affirms Sarahs request in verse 12 but also comforts Abraham in verse 13 saying He, God, will take care of them. Then we come to the text in verse 14 that is our focus. Note, Abraham got up early and did what God called him to do. He didn't fuss or fight. He just did it. That is the perfect picture of how we are to respond to God's calls on our life. Unfortunately for Abraham he allowed his flesh to get in the way and the end result? The muslim nations we have today are a thorn in the side of Israel. You see, our actions have consequences. I know that is not a popular theme today seeing nobody wants to take responsibility, but it's true. In God's economy there is no grey area. Either do or don't. Now don't misunderstand me, God loves the muslim just as much as the next person but He is allowing them to be a reminder to Israel of the promise. So what's our application in all this? 1st Corinthians 15:31. Paul says he dies daily. The willingness to die to yourself so that Christ may accomplish His will in you. Romans chapter 8 talks about the flesh and what happens if you follow after it. Read it for extra credit. So this week, be encouraged that when God makes a promise, He keeps it. Don't let your flesh get in the way. Allow whatever it is to come to pass. God always keeps His end of the bargain.
Bob.
Wow. Here we have the old testament story of Abraham sending away Hagar, Sarah's handmaiden. God had Promised to Abraham years before that He was going to bring forth a child miraculously, and that from him, Abrahams descendants would be God's chosen people. When the promise was made, both Abraham and Sarah were way past child bearing years. Abraham was 100 and Sarah was ninety when it came to pass some 13 years later. In that time though, Sarah had a plan. She believed God but decided to help him accomplish it. She gave Hagar her handmaiden to Abraham to conceive children with. The result of that was Ishmael, the father of the muslims. Isaac and the Jacob were the promised line of the jews. So what does this mean for us? It's a picture of the flesh. Isaac represents how we are to trust and walk after the spirit and Ishmael represents the flesh. Sarah I believe meant well, but didn't think through the promise. It was specific. It was to be from her womb. So now here they are 13 years later with the promise of God fulfilled through Isaac, yet Ishmael, the bible says was mocking him. Sarah then said it's time for them to hit the road Abe. They can't be here no more. You better do something. Abraham, the bible says was grieved. Think about it. Here's his son of 13 years. His first son who he poured his life into, taught him how to be a man and how to be a father. Now he has to kick him out. I can't imagine the heartache he must have felt. God affirms Sarahs request in verse 12 but also comforts Abraham in verse 13 saying He, God, will take care of them. Then we come to the text in verse 14 that is our focus. Note, Abraham got up early and did what God called him to do. He didn't fuss or fight. He just did it. That is the perfect picture of how we are to respond to God's calls on our life. Unfortunately for Abraham he allowed his flesh to get in the way and the end result? The muslim nations we have today are a thorn in the side of Israel. You see, our actions have consequences. I know that is not a popular theme today seeing nobody wants to take responsibility, but it's true. In God's economy there is no grey area. Either do or don't. Now don't misunderstand me, God loves the muslim just as much as the next person but He is allowing them to be a reminder to Israel of the promise. So what's our application in all this? 1st Corinthians 15:31. Paul says he dies daily. The willingness to die to yourself so that Christ may accomplish His will in you. Romans chapter 8 talks about the flesh and what happens if you follow after it. Read it for extra credit. So this week, be encouraged that when God makes a promise, He keeps it. Don't let your flesh get in the way. Allow whatever it is to come to pass. God always keeps His end of the bargain.
Bob.
No comments:
Post a Comment