Daily Devotions
Genesis
"Do not forsake me, O Lord; O my God, be not far from me! Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!" Psalm 38:21-22
Text: Genesis 21:1-34
HELPLESS AND HAPLESS!
Once again Abraham found himself caught in a situation where he felt he did not have an answer to the predicament he was caught up in.
“And the matter was very displeasing in Abraham’s sight
because of his son.”GENESIS 21:11
1. Abraham had a father’s love for his son Ishmael
There is no question as to Abraham’s love for his son. This love is natural, for he was after all his natural father. Sarah’s lack of love for him did not cause Abraham’s love for Ishmael to diminish over the years.
2. The angry demand of Sarah seemed unreasonable
How could anyone make such a demand? How could Sarah think that he could just cast Hagar and Ishmael out of his sight, simply because she demanded it! The strength of self-will in Sarah was strong as it was strident!
3. Anger versus anger
The presence of Ishmael in the family had thus far been tolerated. His existence would always remind Sarah of her mistake when she gave Hagar to be Abraham’s second wife! The thought of Ishmael inheriting the wealth of Abraham was too much to bear. She showed her displeasure.
Abraham on the other hand did all he could to stave off the demand of Sarah. He showed her his displeasure. He was master of the household. He would not give in to her demand! Anger bred anger! The harmony in the family was all but destroyed! Where was the solution to their problems?
4. No human solution in sight
Abraham did not have a solution to the problem at hand! How he must have cried out to the Lord for an answer to his predicament! Would God be able to give a suitable solution that would actually be a blessing to ALL parties concerned? That would be some answer!
GOD TO THE RESCUE
There did not seem an equitable solution to the impasse in the family strife! God had to step in to offer a classic answer. Only the Lord could have come up with such a solution!
“But God said to Abraham, ‘Do not let it be displeasing
in your sight because of the lad or because of your bondwoman.
Whatever Sarah has said to you, listen to her voice; for in Isaac
your seed shall be called. Yet I will also make a nation of the son
of the bondwoman, because he is your seed.'”GENESIS 21:12-13