Discovering Genesis, Part 15 Series

Discovering Genesis, Part 15 (The Tale of Two Families, Part 1)

Genesis 16:1-16

Introduction

- This morning, we saw the response of Abram to God in a two part phase

- (v6) The Bible tells us 1) Abram believed then, 2) God credited righteousness

- It is something that we have to see: God is already all there ever needs to be

- Abram had to come to the realization of this and THEN God rewarded Him

- This evening, we are going to look at the beginning of the mess we have today

- This is not the beginning of the mess of sin; or even of rebellion

- This evening we begin to examine the beginning of the split in religions

- If you were looking for a title to this message; “The Tale of Two Families”

- This is better than any soap opera that could be written today

- It is a tale of how the split of what is now:

-- 1) Judaism (which produced Judeo Christians)

-- 2) Islam

- I want to state for the record that Islam in itself is not something to be hated

- It is a cult-like following which is misunderstood at best; demonic at worst

- However, I say this with all sincerity so you know where I stand

- It is NOT the place of a believer to cast out those of the Islam faith

- It is NOT our role in life to speak out and to outcast those involved in this faith

- However, it is our place to understand that this religion is NOT of God

- It was born out of sin; and its eternal destination is hell; and thus they need Jesus

- It really is that honest: If we aren’t ready to show those in this faith Christ

- The conclusion is simple: We aren’t really saved nor are we Christ followers

- This is true life, rubber meeting the road of Christian faith

- We will talk some more about this next Sunday morning; this is just the intro

- Go with me to Genesis, Chapter 21; flip back to Genesis 16

- Read Genesis 16:1-16

- Pray

Point 1 – Sarai gives Hagar to Abram (1-3)

- This is probably one of the most shocking stories in the OT regarding marriage

- There is a rebellion here that is just insane; esp when consider the implications

- We believe in God, but we’d rather not wait on Him so let’s solve it ourselves

- It is a position that often gets us into lots of trouble with the Lord

- In essence, unbelief took over and human emotions replaced faith

- This really is something we need to pay attention to in our lives today

- In every relation and situation in life there is some cross for us to bear

- Simply stated: Fleshly wisdom puts us out of God's will

Point 2 – Hagar's misbehavior to Sarai (4-6)

- What is interesting here is the Sarai is the one who gives Hagar to Abram

- And yet, Sarai is now mad and angry at her for the actions she did (v5)

- It is one of the most relevant implications that we have today

- Think of it: Sarai is 100% in the wrong, and SHE is complaining to God

- It is out of her own guilt that this is happening; much like we do today

- We feel that we are getting a bad deal, b/c of our decisions, and we gripe

- Hagar forgot that she herself had first given the provocation, by despising her

- APP: Those that suffer for their faults, need to bear it with some Grace

-- 1 Peter 2:20, “But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.”

Point 3 – The Angel commands Hagar to return; the promise to her Birth of Ishmael (7-16)

- Hagar was away from home; and wandering totally; and an Angel found her

- There is a lot of mercy to be stopped by God from continuing down a sinful road

- The Lord’s guidance to us is ALWAYS going to be to submit to those over us

- But, here we see it about to get very interesting and affecting history forever

- V9-10: Then the angel of the LORD told her, “Go back to your mistress and submit to her.” The angel added, “I will increase your descendants so much that they will be too numerous to count.”

- Hagar’s arrogance is complicating this situation

-- (10) God promised Hagar that He would multiply her seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.