In chapters 15-18 God reminds Abraham again that he will have a son. It has been several years since he entered Canaan and was told that he would be the father of a great nation. Abraham is beginning to wonder if this going to happen. God is always faithful to fulfill His promises but what if he has offended God in some way to cause Him to change His mind? After all, Sarah is too old now to bear children. So, he asks God again. He is put into a deep sleep and shown visions that not only will he be a father but that his children will enter into a land that is not theirs (Gen.46) and be in bondage for 400 years after which they will leave "with great substance" (Exodus 1:1-12:51).
It is obvious that Abraham's child cannot be conceived by Sarah so she gives her handmaid to her husband to help God's promise be fulfilled. Hagar becomes pregnant and starts thinking and acting like she is a better person than Sarah because of it. Sarah complains to Abraham and says it is his fault. After Sarah gets permission from Abraham to put Hagar back in her place, Hagar runs away. An angel appears and tells her to go back because her son will be a father of many nations.
Thirteen years later, God visits Abraham again and tells him that His promise was for a child to be born of Sarah, not another woman. Even though they misunderstood, another son will be born who will be the favored one and God will give Ishmael many sons just as He will Isaac. However, he will be a wild man and will always be at war with others. Ishmael had 12 sons and was the father of the Muslim people. They have been fighting with other countries throughout history and even today.
Sometime later in the same year Abraham and Sarah are visited by three men. I think this is God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit because 18:1 says- And the LORD appeared unto him. Verses 2-3- (2) And he lift up his eyes and looked, and lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground, (3) And said, My LORD, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant. They tell him that it is time for Sarah to conceive. Sarah overhears it and laughs to herself because she knows it is impossible since she is 89 years old. Even though the laugh was so quiet no one could hear it, God did and tells them both nothing is too hard for Him.
There are several lessons to be learned. First of all, when God tells you He will do something He will do it. It may not be immediate but it will happen.
Second, we need to be patient. His promises will happen in His timing. There are a certain set of events that need to take place before your blessing comes through.
Third, Our Father does not need our help. Sometimes we try to take matters into our hands. When we do we always make a mess of things. However, if we stop and give it all back to God He will set us back on the right path again.
I hope you have a wonderful and blessed day.
Leigh
It is obvious that Abraham's child cannot be conceived by Sarah so she gives her handmaid to her husband to help God's promise be fulfilled. Hagar becomes pregnant and starts thinking and acting like she is a better person than Sarah because of it. Sarah complains to Abraham and says it is his fault. After Sarah gets permission from Abraham to put Hagar back in her place, Hagar runs away. An angel appears and tells her to go back because her son will be a father of many nations.
Thirteen years later, God visits Abraham again and tells him that His promise was for a child to be born of Sarah, not another woman. Even though they misunderstood, another son will be born who will be the favored one and God will give Ishmael many sons just as He will Isaac. However, he will be a wild man and will always be at war with others. Ishmael had 12 sons and was the father of the Muslim people. They have been fighting with other countries throughout history and even today.
Sometime later in the same year Abraham and Sarah are visited by three men. I think this is God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit because 18:1 says- And the LORD appeared unto him. Verses 2-3- (2) And he lift up his eyes and looked, and lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground, (3) And said, My LORD, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant. They tell him that it is time for Sarah to conceive. Sarah overhears it and laughs to herself because she knows it is impossible since she is 89 years old. Even though the laugh was so quiet no one could hear it, God did and tells them both nothing is too hard for Him.
There are several lessons to be learned. First of all, when God tells you He will do something He will do it. It may not be immediate but it will happen.
Second, we need to be patient. His promises will happen in His timing. There are a certain set of events that need to take place before your blessing comes through.
Third, Our Father does not need our help. Sometimes we try to take matters into our hands. When we do we always make a mess of things. However, if we stop and give it all back to God He will set us back on the right path again.
I hope you have a wonderful and blessed day.
Leigh