Back to Genesis

1 Now the LORD was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what he had promised. 2 Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him. 3 Abraham gave the name Isaac to the son Sarah bore him. 4 When his son Isaac was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him, as God commanded him. 5 Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.

6 Sarah said, "God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me." 7 And she added, "Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age."

8 The child grew and was weaned, and on the day Isaac was weaned Abraham held a great feast. 9 But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking, 10 and she said to Abraham, "Get rid of that slave woman and her son, for that slave woman's son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac."

11 The matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son. 12 But God said to him, "Do not be so distressed about the boy and your maidservant. Listen to whatever Sarah tells you, because it is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned. 13 I will make the son of the maidservant into a nation also, because he is your offspring." Genesis 21:1-13

I'm back in Genesis this morning. Apparently God has a few things for me to understand about Genesis. This week we began a new series at church about exploring the Old Testament, and right off the bat were talking about Genesis and many of the truths hidden within. I've also been reading a fictional book set in the days of Joseph, and add all this together, I think I should stay the course in Genesis.

Two weeks ago when I took a break, Sarah was pregnant, and today we see that she gives birth to a healthy son whom they named Isaac. After he was born, we see that Sarah's views of Hagar and Ishmael have not changed, she still doesn't want them around. In these days, it's helpful to understand birth order and family inheritance. The firstborn son usually inherited their father's wealth, status, and anything they owned when the father died. Sons who were born of servants or concubines only received this inheritance if their fathers claimed them as firstborn son. But usually the firstborn status was reserved for the first son of the first wife. In this case, Ishmael was born first, and Abraham recognized him as his son, but Isaac was going to get Abraham's inheritance. Sarah wanted there to be no doubt of this, so she asked that Hagar and Ishmael be sent away, thus removing Isaac's competition.

This whole ordeal plagued Abraham. He did love Ishmael, and worried about sending him away from his care. But God promised Abraham that Ishmael would be great to relieve Abraham of his worries. What I read in here today is that God not only provides for our physical needs, but our emotional and mental needs. Abraham wanted to please his wife, but didn't want to lose his son to who-knows-what. GOD put Abraham's mind at ease, telling him that Ishmael would have great things before him, thus allowing Abraham to please his wife and send Ishmael away, knowing he would live and grow. God can put our mind at ease too if we ask him to. On those days where we are stressed out and busy and aren't sure where we should allocate our time, God can help us make the best decision and be at peace with that decision.

I hope I can apply this. :-) It's really strange being where we are right now. It's like a point of limbo. We know that something is on the verge of happening- something great. Andy could get a new job- that new job could potentially take us elsewhere. Or Andy's new job could keep us securely where we are. Or. Andy's current employer could find himself with plenty of work for all his crews, giving Andy job security right where he is. There are so many options! And while we are not sure of anything, there are a few certains that we can pray for. Right now we are both praying heartily for Andy's boss. He's a wonderful boss and it's really affecting him that he can't keep his employees busy. We are also praying for God's constant provision for us, as well as for guidance in the right direction. And really, we can't do much else but wait. And wait we are. I really do want to give this whole situation to God, but it's really difficult to be able to let it all go and say, "okay God, have at it." And to a point I do, but it sure would be nice to know...

Lots of somethings to pray on, and lots of somethings to leave up to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.