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)
- If Hagar and Ishmael had behaved well in Abraham's family, they might have continued there; but they were justly punished.
- APP: By abusing privileges, we forfeit them; they are from God
- They were brought to distress in the wilderness
- It is not said that the provisions were spent, or that Abraham sent them away without any supplies or money … but they are now in a sticky spot
- The water was spent; and having lost their way, they were now in a tough spot
- Thanks to the heat Ishmael was soon overcome with fatigue and thirst
- God's readiness to help us when we are in trouble can’t be taken lightly
- It should however, encourage us to seek Him and then put help into action
- The angel reminds her of the promise that God has given her:
-- Genesis 16:10, “The angel added, “I will increase your descendants so much that they will be too numerous to count.”
- The angel directs her to a supply of water in a place that she can be comforted
-- Challenge: Many who have reason to be comforted, go mourning from day to day, because they do not see the reason they have for comfort.
- There is a well of water near them, but they are not aware of how close help is
- BIG APP: When God opens your eyes to the difficulty, we then see the remedy
- The Desert of Paran was a wild place, fit for a wild man; such as Ishmael
-- Genesis 16:12, “He will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone and everyone’s hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers.”
- However, God still provided for this man because of His promise to do so
Conclusion
At the very beginning we said that the religion spawned from Ishmael (Islam) was at best misunderstood; and at worst demonic … and here is where the roads meet
We might even ask, “How does this show us what our response must be?”
Notice, the God’s provision allowed Ishmael to flourish; gave His protection
- But why? Why would there be protection from God for something ungodly?
- THEN: To show God’s sovereignty; and to give people change to turn to God
- TODAY: So that you and I would be willing to show the redemption of Christ
- Both are 100% correct answers; and both of these reflect the Grace of God alone
- We are called to show others the Gospel; and show others how to be redeemed
- We were given the Gospel to be able to demonstrate it to others who need it
- Just as God provided a way for Ishmael to survive … He provides redemption for you and I for one purpose to show others the Christ
- We have a decision to make when it comes to these two families
- Which side are we on? Are we demonstrating Christ; or mocking Him?
- Pray
