The Carnal plan for children

The Carnal plan for children

     Genesis 16 vs 1-   “And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai. “

In Genesis 12, vs 2-3 we read about the promise of a great nation coming from the lineage of Abram. Yet at around 80 years of age Abram still did not have a child. Sarai, did not hear the word of God, She had her own plans for a child. As we read further we know that she asked Abram to have a child through her maid servant.

This was the custom on those days so that you could have an heir to keep your lineage. The maid servant who bore the child will still be treated as a slave, but the child will become heir.  

Let us look at what all happens because of the unbelief of Sarai.

1 She gives her maid servant as a concubine to Abram.

2 She becomes jealous “her mistress was despised in her eyes” is what the bible says. – to regard with comtempt or dislike.   Was it Hagar who asked for being a concubine?  No. When we are jealous or we dislike someone  we harbour that hatred in us and we end up not behaving properly. The bible says if we hate another it is as good as committing murder.

3 She begins to mistreat Hagar so much so that Hagar runs away from the mistress.

The Lord comes to the rescue of Hagar and asks her to return and be in submission to her mistress and the God still blesses this seed of Abram too and promises that Ishmael also will become a big nation.

Later on we read that when Isaac was born, Ishmael mocked him, and this time Sarah, threw them out of the house. 

Let us learn to be patient for GOD to work His Works in our lives. Let us live to understand His meaning in our lives.

God bless you.