God promised to Abram a child that would bear him a great nation twice. Abram was growing old and his wife was barren. In Genesis 16 we see Sarai, Abram's wife, took it upon herself to come up with a solution. This solution was not what God had planned for Abram and his family, yet He allowed it to take place. The proposed solution was for Hagar, an Egyptian handmaid of Sarai's, to bear a child for her. Hagar conceived and had a son named Ishmael. Once Sarai knew Hagar was pregnant she realized that she had made a mistake. Hagar left and went to the wilderness and as she stayed there the Angel of the Lord appeared. A promise was given to Hagar. Even when it was not God's plan He gave Hagar a similar promise to her as He had given to Abram. He told Hagar that out of Ishmael would be a great nation. God confirms this promise to Abraham in Genesis 17:20.
God's promises are true, and as we see confirmation and reaffirmation of the promise of this son to Abram we also see how God works in spite of man's attempt at intervention. Ishmael's birth was not what God had originally intended, yet God has used Ishmael and his descendants to further His plans. Ishmael's people are the Arabs of today, the Muslims, those who would destroy Israel. Even though Abram and Sarai disobeyed God, the promises was kept, and reiterated once more in Genesis 17.
- Assistant Pastor Rick Mitton
God's promises are true, and as we see confirmation and reaffirmation of the promise of this son to Abram we also see how God works in spite of man's attempt at intervention. Ishmael's birth was not what God had originally intended, yet God has used Ishmael and his descendants to further His plans. Ishmael's people are the Arabs of today, the Muslims, those who would destroy Israel. Even though Abram and Sarai disobeyed God, the promises was kept, and reiterated once more in Genesis 17.
- Assistant Pastor Rick Mitton
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