Genesis 17:17-19

It seems at this point that Abraham had waited so long that it was ridiculous to even think that there was any possibility of God’s promise to come about. Sometimes we get like that, we wait, and we wonder, we want, we weary, and we begin to consider that the promises of Faith are ridiculous.

God wasn’t fazed one bit by Abraham’s disbelief; ironically God names the promised son: “Isaac” or “He laughs”

I like that, we think God is funny in the head when He starts telling us all these impossible blessings that are in store for us, we start belly laughing in disbelief. But God on the other hand laughs at the impossible; the odds kind of tickle His humor. You see, here in Genesis God is establishing a principal that is a staple through every book of the Bible to follow, faith is the key to an abundant and effective relationship with God.

Several hundred years later Jesus Christ would walk the earth, and speak to His disciples about the odds and impossibilities of another promise. Not the promise of a son, but the promise from a Son to “bringing many sons and daughters into salvation”.

Being so amazed by the odds of what they heard the disciples would say, “Who then can be saved?”

And Jesus then responded with the words that if believed would bring abundant and effective relationship with God, “With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.”

“So Abram said to Sarai, “Indeed your maid is in our hand; do to her as you please.”  And when Sarai dealt harshly with her, she fled from her presence.”

Genesis 16:6

This is so like us, we foolishly make decisions apart from God, and then we start lashing out on everyone around us when we start to reap what we have sown.  Here we see that neither Abram nor Sarai showed conduct becoming of those who were faithful to God; the Bible is so honest like that, showing both the good and the ugly in every particular story. 

The great thing is that God comes to the rescue and redeems the gnarly actions of Abram and Sarai.  I like that, because I too have behaved foolishly, I have gone out of God’s will and lashed out on people when I had to pay the piper for my stupidity. 

God is so faithful to us even when we blow it and turn people off to God like Sarai and Abram did here with Hagar.  Praise God that He faithfully “sees” and intervenes in each of our lives, not only redeeming our mistakes but at the same time reconciling everyone to Him.

Genesis 16:1-4

Abram had heard God’s voice tell him he would father many nations, have many descendants, and have an heir. It doesn’t get much clearer than that when hearing a promise about having children.

What is it that made Abram stop waiting for God to fulfill His promise and take matters into his own hands?

Some would say it was waiting thirteen years, which did play a part I’m sure, but I believe it had more to do with what voice Abram was listening to, the presumptuous voice of Sarai instead of the Lord’s voice of provision.

In the Ancient Middle East it was a huge embarrassment to not have an heir to carry on the family name. Sarai felt as though she was a failure and shaming her husband and family. Abram I’m sure wasn’t necessarily voicing God’s promises in faith seeing that He so willingly took Hagar as a surrogate mother. So what we have here is an important lesson on what to do when waiting on the Lord.

Zuwd is the Hebrew verb meaning to act presumptuously; it implies arrogance, pride, rebellion, and insolence. Throughout the Bible we see many different characters actually sinning when acting presumptuously… Korah, Miriam, Aaron, Saul, some kings and prophets, to name a few. We see that to presume our own ideas instead of proclaiming God’s promises is a big mistake. When Sarai tried to save face in the embarrassing situation of not being able to have kids, she actually acted in rebellion to God’s promise by urging Abram to make things happen with Hagar. Abram in turn sinned by ignoring God’s voice and listening instead to Sarai’s presumptuous advice, which only lead to division, heartache, and strife.

When we choose not to believe God’s promises we sin and bring hurt, heartache, and division to our lives and the lives of the ones we love. Abram would later learn that God always intended to do just as He said, and would receive the blessings that only God could bring.

I suggest if you also want to be one who experiences God’s power and blessing at work in the promises meant for you, you too will believe, proclaim, and wait upon the Lord’s promises until God sees fit to establish them.

Save everyone a whole heap of hurt and simply trust God, you’ll find it to be more rewarding than you think.