Day 3 of Week 3 The Patriarchs

September 19, 2008
 
Day Three of Week Three
God Heard
 
Today's Treasure: Genesis 21: 17
"God has heard the boy crying as he lies there."
 
Glance at the Scriptures we studied yesterday, then hop on the swing for today's first text: Genesis 21: 8 – 11. What caused Sarah's drastic change in temperament?
Abraham threw a huge feast to celebrate the day Isaac was weaned from his mother. He was probably about three years old at this point, considering the culture. During the feast, Sarah became very sensitive to Ishmael and felt he was mocking Isaac. She demanded Abraham to "get rid of that slave woman and her son." (Genesis 21: 10)
 
Briefly describe a few things about a typically precocious little boy of 3 years old.
Generally this is the cutest time in a child's life. They say just about anything because they have learned how to communicate what they are thinking, but they have not learned the rules of social engagement. They are into everything at this age and love to laugh a lot!!!
Beth wants us to remember that he was Sarah's only child and the apple of her eye. She was very protective of him. So, even though Ishmael was probably only acting as any teenage half-brother would, Sarah took it as a personal insult to her family. It is also important to remember that God's bigger plan needed Ishmael to go in a different direction from Abraham's home to come to fruition. So, God allowed this to happen in order to further His Will.
 
What conclusion can you make from Abraham's response in verse 11?
"The matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son."
You can see that Abraham loved Ishmael and wanted to be his father
 
Please read Genesis 21: 12 – 13 and record the gist of God's response to Abraham.
"But God said to him, 'Do not be so distressed about the boy and your maidservant. Listen to whatever Sarah tells you, becaus e it is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned. I will make the son of the maidservant into a nation also, because he is your offspring.' "
In other words, don't worry. God is taking care of everything. Ishmael will be protected. Abraham must take care of his wife and Isaac so the covenant can be fulfilled.
 
How does Ephesians 1: 11 speak to the conflict in Genesis 21: 8 – 13?
"In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will."
God works out everything to further His kingdom and fulfill His promises
 
 
How does E phesians 1: 11 speak to a present challenge in your life?
When I accepted Christ, I was sealed in His promise that He will work out all things in my life according to His will. I can be assured that this cancer is serving some purpose greater than I can see or know right now. God has a plan for even my life!!!
 
From your point of view, what is the most tender moment of Genesis 21: 14 – 21?
Hagar shrinking in heart and mind nearby as she is afraid of watching her son die! I couldn't imagine!!!
 
Beth wants us to imagine the heartbreak that Abraham must have felt as he watched Hagar and Ishmael walk away. His son is leaving his life…a son that he has loved and raised!!! She poses the question of whether Abraham stood in the distance watching them un til they disappeared or if he ran to his tent to hide from the heartbreak. Which would you have done had you been Abraham?
I know I would have watched as long as I could – sobbing the entire time. This reminds me of a very tender memory of Brian's mother. We visited his mom and dad a lot, but his mom had certain routines that were her way of letting us know how much she loved us. There were special greetings when we came through the door. Then, we were waited on constantly, as if she hadn't seen us in years! When we left, she stood on the porch watching and waving until she could no longer see our car. She took advantage of every opportunity she had to express love for us. It is still so difficult to ride by that front door and not see her waving good-bye…it just feels so empty without her there.
 
Now, Beth wants us to step into the sandals of Hagar. This=2 0mother has been sent away from the only home she has known with her son. She has obviously been taken care of because she has given birth to the only son Isaac had for many years. Now, she is hated and sent away by the same people. She is literally sent into a desert with very little provision. She had no way of knowing where to go, and even if she did have a place in mind, how would she get there? Ishmael is the same size as her at this point in her life. So, she cannot carry him through the desert. They must lean on one another. Ishmael is fading quickly, and she is horrified with the reality that, without divine intervention, her son would die before her eyes. She hid Ishmael under a bush. This is important to note because it relays the desperation she is facing. She was hiding him in a thorn bush to keep his body from predators. This was her final act of protection as a mother. Then, "God heard the boy crying"!!!!
 
What was the divine interruption to Hagar's sobs?
An Angel of God appeared to Hagar
 
What did the Angel of God tell her to do? (verse 18)
"Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation."
Verses 19 – 21:
"Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink. God was with the boy as he grew up. He lived in the desert and became an archer. While he was living in the Desert of Paran, his mother got a wife for him from Egypt."
 
 
So, once again, Hagar is blessed with provision from God. Oh, how she must have fallen in love with God all over again that day!!! I can imagine how my heart would have been unable to express the emotion of literally seeing my child lifted from the dead!!!
 
Conclude by writing your own thoughts or meditations.
For me, it is comforting to know that God hears my cries, and I am sealed in His promise.