Abram’s Great Impatience
Minister: |
Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: |
9/9/2018 PM
|
Text:
|
Genesis 16:1-6
|
Psalters: |
408, 64, 104, 178 |
- The sinful plan.
- It was Sarai’s idea, but Abram must have given his approval: to use her handmaid to bear for her a child.
- It was apparently a custom of that day where the maid was viewed as a possession with nothing as her own.
- Neither Sarai nor Abram consulted with God when considering this idea.
- Let us not let Sarai’s sin make us doubt her salvation. Cf. Heb. 11:11,12.
- Sarai knew that God closed her womb (2).
- It is likely that Sarai thought that she was doing this out of faith so God’s word might be fulfilled.
- Their sinful solution brought, not blessing, but more sin.
- The plan was despicable.
- God shows His disapproval.
- Hagar becomes proud and rebellious when she realized that she was pregnant (4).
- Sarai is hurt and exasperated by Hagar’s attitude (“My wrong be upon thee,” 5) and voices her complaint to Abram.
- Abram assured Sarai that Hagar is her slave, not his wife (6).
- Sarai afflicted Hagar, which occasions Hagar to run away with Ishmael.
- God speaks His judgment.
- First, He uses an angel to admonish Hagar (7-12).
- This incident must be seen as a part of God’s covenant purpose.
- Scripture does not cover up nor minimize the sins of God’s children, not even the spiritual giants.