Genesis 21 records the birth of Isaac. It is a humanly impossible birth. Yet, God causes it to happen. The New Testament will pick up on this theme. In order to be people of faith we cannot depend on ourselves, but must rely completely on the Lord. As Isaac was a miraculous gift, our salvation is a grace gift as well.
The episode of Sarah’s treatment of Ishmael saddens me. Ishmael probably needed to be disciplined but to be driven out with his mother into the desert where certain death would occur seems cold-hearted of Sarah. Abraham is distressed by this but the Lord has him send them away. The account is griping. When they ran out of water Hagar put her son in some bushes (probably for shade) and went far enough away so she wouldn’t have to watch him die. God hears Ishmael crying and sends an angel to Hagar. They are miraculously saved. Ishmael though not being the child of the promise like Isaac is under a promise as well. Too many people today feel that they are not living under the real promise. Many today believe they are insignificant. Just because you may not be as popular or as seemingly as powerful as others does not mean that you are not a child of the promise. Jesus changed all of that. All who receive Jesus are children of the promise. We are to live as children of the promise.
“Lord thank You for being a God of miracles and possibilities. Thank You for allowing us to be children of Your promise. I pray this in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.
About Me
- Robert and Ray Miller
- Robert is the pastor of First Baptist Texas City, Tx. And Ray is the pastor of First Baptist Mertens, Tx. Robert brings over 30 years of biblical study as a pastor. Ray brings a younger perspective to the Bible and also a command of the original languages. Our greatest passion is to see lives changed through the good news of Jesus Christ.
1 comment:
The whole episode with Ishmael and Isaac could so easily have been avoided if Sarai and Abraham had believed and waited on the Lord for the answer.
One thing I have learned is that He can be nothing but faithful. If He says it, it will come to pass. But, Sarah (like so many of us) grew impatient and tried to intervene in what God said would happen. Waiting is SO Very Hard but we can never improve on God's timing and when we interfere, we often have unpleasant consequences to go through.
I pray for today and tomorrow that I will trust God's promises and His timing and rest in the knowledge that He cannot be unfaithful.
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