I’ve been in Genesis 21:1-12 in recent weeks, and I’ve been marinating on how God gave Abraham a bothersome answer to a situation that he faced in his household.
The drama involved his son Ishmael and the newest addition, the miracle child called Isaac. One day, Sarah, Isaac’s mother, saw Ishmael tease her son. The fallout behind the brief encounter would be life-changing for all. Sarah went to Abraham and said, they’ve got to go! This grieved Abraham as he didn’t want to send his son away. Yet, God told him to listen to Sarah and send Ishmael and his mother, Hagar, away.
As difficult as it was, sent them off he did. Knowing this was God’s will, Abraham did what he could – packed up food and water – and gave it to Hagar and sent them away.
Oh my, talk about an assignment (which was just a taste of what Abraham would go through in a few years with God’s directive about Isaac – but that’s a devotional for another day).
Let Jesus fix it for you. That’s a song we used to sing in church years ago. Often, the manner in which the Lord chooses to fix a situation comes in a way we’d rather not do. How could sending Ishmael away be a solution? God said Isaac was the child of promise and would be his heir – so Ishmael was out of the picture. God still blessed Ishmael. God promised Abraham Ishmael would one day become a nation! But that wouldn’t occur under Abraham’s watch.
And fix it He did. After leaving, Ishmael and his mother, Hagar, soon ran out of supplies. She thought this was it, he’s going to die. She wept in defeat. But God! He talked to her and told her He’d heard Ishmael’s cries, told her about the nation he’d become, and then showed her a well of water! Genesis 25:12-16 lists the names of his 12 sons. He died at 137 years old.
Are you really willing to let Jesus fix it for you? As the song lyrics detail, “He knows just what to do.” But will you let go of how you feel “things” should be handled and let Him fix it?
And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking.10 Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac.11 And the thing was very grievous in Abraham’s sight because of his son.12 And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.13 And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed. Genesis 21:9-13 (KJV)
12 Now these are the generations of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah’s handmaid, bare unto Abraham:13 And these are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to their generations: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebajoth; and Kedar, and Adbeel, and Mibsam,14 And Mishma, and Dumah, and Massa,15 Hadar, and Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah:16 These are the sons of Ishmael, and these are their names, by their towns, and by their castles; twelve princes according to their nations.17 And these are the years of the life of Ishmael, an hundred and thirty and seven years: and he gave up the ghost and died; and was gathered unto his people.18 And they dwelt from Havilah unto Shur, that is before Egypt, as thou goest toward Assyria: and he died in the presence of all his brethren. Genesis 25:12-18 (KJV)
In the Master’s Service,
Author/Pastor Michele D Robertson
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Matthew 11:28-29 (KJV)