Words of Wisdom

Week 22

FREE AND FAR-REACHING

READ: Genesis 21:8 - 20

FOCUS

Abraham has two sons living in his household, but this is now causing grave relational problems in his once happy and peaceful family. The issue is with the sons. Both are of Abraham's flesh and blood, but they share different mothers. Sarah is the legitimate wife, whose son is Isaac and Hagar is the slave-woman whose son is Ishmael. Whatever the contention between the women and their children, the mother of the legitimate child does not want her son to grow up with Ishmael. One son has to leave his father's house. Hagar and her young son are sent away with just some food and water. This situation distressed Abraham greatly, but God comforts him. God explains to him that his seed is to be reckoned through Issac, but He will make Ishmael into a great nation also.

Hagar and her son wander alone in the desert, where their food and water run out. Hagar prepares for her son's death and then her own. Is this illegitimate child of Abraham really to share in God's promise to Abraham? Is God's promise really that Free and Far Reaching?

Let us hurry on to some life-transforming facts in this story.

FACTS

From heaven, God hears the cries of an illegitimate son of Abraham.
From heaven, God's angel converses with an Egyptian slave woman.
From heaven, God's angel rescues a totally and utterly distressed, helpless and abandoned slave woman.
From heaven, God gives perfect hearing and sight to this non-Jewish woman, as His angel guides her steps to save her child and herself, from their present hopeless situation.
From heaven, God's own will is spoken to Hagar, this undeserving, unworthy, non-flesh and blood member, who once belonged to Abraham's household. She is told;

" Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation." Genesis 21:18

Has not our God personally revealed to Ishmael's mother the far reaching meaning of His promise to Abraham?

Where and how do you fit into this word?

FREEDOM

Is this another promise that God is making to the slave woman Hagar? No! He is just making this mother know that her illegitimate , outcast son is considered in God's sight, for he is of Abraham's flesh and blood. The Promise to Abraham includes the outside son also.

If we truly believe that we are reckoned as Abraham's seed through faith, then know that faith produces many 'unlawful' children, in the eyes of the law. According to law, you may not be one of the considered vessels, but by faith you have given birth to many. Be assured that as long as it is the fruit of faith, regardless of your standing and position according to lawful, religious thinking, the fruit of faith is always honoured by God.
Now have a long, hard, 'faith look' at our God who never follows the walk and way of the intimidated and fearful.

" God was with the boy as he grew up. He lived in the desert and became an archer." Genesis 21: 20

The promises of God ARE Free and Far-Reaching