Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Spotify | TuneIn | RSS | More
Ishmael
Text; Genesis 16
Conceived in unbelief (vss 1-3)
- The promise is to Abram and Sarai, so this is an act of unbelief.
- This is notable because the LORD has just credited Abram with righteousness in Genesis 15. Abram believed God would bless him with a child, but he failed to believe how the LORD would do it.
- Part of growth in the LORD is not only believing what God will do, but trusting HOW he’s going to do it.
- Wrong methods have consequences.
Consequences are unbearable (vss 4-6)
- Proverbs 30:21-23
- Contentious situation is born.
Care given to Hagar, but with a warning (vss 7-14)
Child is brought into this world (vss 15-16)
Comparison to the law
- Galatians 4:21-26 says this scripture can be used as a picture, an allegory, of trying to be made a child of God by the law.
- Hagar is like the law given from Mt. Sinai. So Ishmael is a type of a Jew trying to gain righteousness by the law.
- Conceived in unbelief – Romans 9:31-32
- Consequences are unbearable.
- Care is given to Hagar, but with a warning.
