The Promise And The Problem Series

A preacher who was new to town and had dropped off his suit at the dry-cleaners. Later that week, he came back to pick up his suit, and the woman behind the counter said. “That will be $10.50.” “Oh my,” said the preacher. “I only have $9. Would it be alright if I came back later with the rest?” “Oh sure,” she said, “I’ll trust for the $1.50.” The preacher headed for the door. But then a thought occurred to him. He turned to the woman and said: “I’m curious. You just told me that you would trust me for $1.50 cents. But what if I had only the dollar $1.50, would you have trusted me for the $9?” “Oh, no,” she replied, “I couldn’t have done that!” “So,” the preacher said, “what you are really saying is that you didn’t really TRUST me but you were willing to take a chance on me for $1.50?”

Hebrews 11 tells us that Abraham was a man of faith. Nine verses out of the 40 in Hebrews 11 are dedicated to Abraham & his faith. And Galatians 3:7 tells us that “those of faith… are the sons of Abraham.” So God was telling us, Abraham was a man of faith and we want to BE like him!

But there were times in Abraham’s life when didn’t get that far. There were times when he struggled with faith. Times when his faith in God was worth about $1.50 faith. And when that happened, Abraham ended up paying a price for the faith that he lacked… just like in our text today.

A little background: When Abraham was 75 years old, God said: “I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.” Genesis 12:2

So, God promised to make Abraham into a great nation - and that meant Abe had to have kids.

Well, a few years later, Abraham says to God: “O Lord GOD, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?... Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.” And behold, the word of the LORD came to him: “This man shall not be your heir; your very OWN SON will be your heir.” Genesis 15:2-4

God repeated His promise and told Abraham, YOU’RE GOING TO HAVE A SON! And in response to this promise, we’re told that Abraham “believed the LORD (that he’d have a son), and (God) counted it unto him as righteousness.” Genesis 15:6

So Abraham BELIEVED the LORD. And he now has a $10.50 faith. He was ALL IN! He totally believed that God would do what he promised. He was going to have a SON!!!

Well, fast-forward a few years, and Abe’s getting a lot older. And he’s begun to trim about $9 off that faith because his wife Sarah is tired of waiting for this child. “Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. She had a female Egyptian servant whose name was Hagar. And Sarai said to Abram, ‘Behold now, the LORD has

prevented me from bearing children. Go in to my servant; it may be that I shall obtain children by her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai. Genesis 16:1-2

Now, why would Sarai/Sarah suggest this? Well she’s getting old, and the clock’s ticking, and if something isn’t done soon she’ll NEVER have a son. This way (at least) according to the traditions and morals of the day Hagar would have the son … and Sarah could call it hers.

ILLUS: Now, I don’t understand that. I just know that’s how things worked back then. So, to keep peace in the house Abraham agrees he sleeps with HAGAR, and she has a son named Ishmael.

Now notice, Abraham never bothered to ask God if HE approved of this plan. I mean: God had made a promise, but God hadn’t come through … so Abraham figured God needed a little help.

Abraham’s faith (at this point) was worth about a buck & a half.

But then (PAUSE) God made good on His promise. Sarah has a boy named Isaac, and there is rejoicing in Abraham’s tent. The PROMISE had been fulfilled… but now Abraham had a PROBLEM. He had a “Blended Family” - that’s where a husband and wife have some of her kids/ some of his, and they all live under one roof. You know… kind of like the Brady Bunch.

Now sometimes those blended families can work out real good - but not for Abraham. In Genesis 16:4-6 we’re told Hagar “conceived. And when she saw that she had conceived, she looked with contempt on her mistress. And Sarai said to Abram, ‘May the wrong done to me be on you! I gave my servant to your embrace, and when she saw that she had conceived, she looked on me with contempt. May the LORD judge between you and me!’ But Abram said to Sarai, ‘Behold, your servant is in your power; do to her as you please.’ Then Sarai dealt harshly with (Hagar), and (Hagar) fled from her.”