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Genesis 16-18: Covenant & Conflict

The birth of Ishmael

The promise of a son did not come quickly enough for Abraham and Sarah. Impatience led them to make their own plan instead of waiting on God. One mistake quickly leads to another. Abraham goes in to have a son by his wife's maid, Hagar. She was an Egyptian (I wonder when they picked her up?).

Hagar conceives and Ishmael is born, but he will not be the son promised to Abraham. Genesis 16:12 describes prophetically the life of Ishmael. In keeping with God’s promise to make many nations of the descendents of Abraham (Genesis 17:7), Ishmael will be the father of a great nation (Genesis 17:20). In fact, Ishmael is the father of the Arab nations. Do you think the description of Genesis 16:12 is an accurate description of Ishmael's modern descendents? "And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren."

Abraham the Intercessor

The LORD visited to confirm his covenant and make it clear - the promised seed will come through Sarah. The LORD's message is also about impending judgment. The sins of Sodom and Gomorrah were so great that it was a visitation from God. When Abraham hears the news, he draws near to God and begins to ask for his mercy on the cities. He begins by pleading with the LORD not to destroy the city if 50 righteous men are present. The request continues until Abraham has the assurance that the city will be spared if there are ten righteous present.

Cities were dependent on the prayers of one man! We must intercede for the cities of our land. Who will cry out for the cities of America? Who labor to evangelize the cities? Who will see men made righteous through the blood of the Lamb? We must labor and pray before judgment comes upon our nation! It is also remarkable that God stopped answering Abraham's prayer only when Abraham stopped asking.