Discovering Genesis, Part 16 Series

Discovering Genesis, Part 16 (The Tale of Two Families, Part 2)

Genesis 21:1-21

Introduction (Summary of Part 1)

- Last time, 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 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 this 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

- What we saw last time in this study was three things (Genesis 16)

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

-- Hagar's misbehavior to Sarai (4-6)

-- The Angel commands Hagar; the promise to her birth of Ishmael (7-16)

- Go with me to Genesis, Chapter 21

- Read Genesis 21:1-21

- Pray

Point 1 - Birth of Isaac, Sarah's joy (1-8)

- Very few Old Testament characters had the expectations like Isaac did

- He was in this a type of Christ, that Seed which the holy God so long promised

- He was born according to the promise, at the set time of which God had spoken

- God's promised mercies will certainly come at the time which He sets

- Isaac means "laughter"; and there was good reason for the name, Gen 18:13

- When Sarah received the promise, she laughed with distrust and doubt

- But when questioned; she denied laughing and said she didn’t

- When God gives us the mercies we need, we must remember with sorrow and shame our sinful distrust of his power and promise

- It is then that we realize the mercy we don’t deserve is what God gives us

- Mercy is unmerited grace; grace that is undeserved; which God alone brings

- This mercy filled Sarah with joy and wonder

- God' gifts to us surpasses what we could ever think we deserve

-- Who would have said that God should send his Son to die for us?

-- Could we ever imagine God’s Spirit given to make us holy?

-- How about considering the righteousness He bestows upon you and I?

- Sarah has now just begun to realize God’s promise through the birth of Isaac

- TRANS: God’s promises far outweigh anything we could ever imagine

Point 2 - Ishmael mocks Isaac (9-13)

- We need to be aware at how this family shows us how to not rest on our laurels

- We can’t take all the credit for what God does; nor should we ever (ref Joseph)

- Ishmael's conduct was persecution, being done in profane contempt

- Ismael had a REAL problem with Isaac’s promise; HE was the 1st born!!

- And so, his response to Isaac was one of complete contempt; malice; anger

- APP: God takes notice of what children say/do in even in the midst of playing

- This too should speak greatly to us; that God is paying attention to what we do

- Mocking is a great sin, and very provoking to God; it shows him our hearts

- However, for the believer there will always be mocking; LOOK at the promise

-- A perfect example of the worldly mocking is our promise: Revelation 21:15-21

-- How does this world view the believer’s hope? Contempt; malice; anger!

- Abraham was grieved that Ishmael mocked his son; and Sarah’s recommendation

- But God showed him that Isaac must be the father of the promised Seed

- The covenant seed of Abraham must be a people by themselves

- Not mingled with those who were out of covenant (APP: Hagar was not his wife)

Point 3 - Hagar and Ishmael are cast out (14-21)